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THE  YALE  EDITION  OF  HORACE  WALPOLE'S  CORRESPONDENCE 

Editor:  Wilmarth  Sheldon  Lewis,  Fellow  of  Yale  University. 


Robert  William  Chapman,  hon.  d.litt.,  ll.d. 

Fellow  of  Magdalen  College,  Oxford. 

•Albert  Gabriel  Feuillerat,  ph.d.,  d.litt. 

Sterling  Professor  of  French,  Yale  University. 
Robin  Flower,  f.b.a.,  d.litt. 

Deputy  Keeper  of  MSS,  British  Museum. 

Edgar  Stevenson  Furniss,  ph.d.,  ll.d. 

Dean  of  the  Graduate  School  and  Provost  of  Yale 
University. 

Henry  M.  Hake,  m.a. 

Director  of  the  National  Portrait  Gallery,  London. 


advisory  COMMITTEE 

Andrew  Keooii,  litt.d. 

Librarian  and  Sterling  Professor  of  Bibliography, 
Emeritus , Yale  University. 

Robert  Wyndham  Ketton-Cremer 
Felbrigg  Hall,  Norfolk. 

Owen  Frederick  Morshead,  m.a. 

Librarian  to  H.M.  the  King,  Windsor  Castle. 
Lewis  Bernstein  Namier,  m.a. 

Professor  of  Modem  History,  University  of 
Manchester. 

Wallace  Notestein,  ph.d.,  litt.d. 

Sterling  Professor  of  English  History,  Yale  University. 


Frederick  Albert  Pottle,  ph.d.,  ll.d 
Professor  of  English,  Yale  University. 

Chauncey  Brewster  Tinker,  ph.d.,  litt.d. 
Sterling  Professor  of  English  Literature  and  Keeper 
of  Rare  Books,  Yale  University. 

The  Earl  Waldecrave 
Chewton  Priory,  Bath. 

Leonard  Whibley,  m.a. 
r Fellow  of  Pembroke  College,  Cambridge. 

Karl  Young,  ph.d.,  litt.d.,  ll.d. 

Sterling  Professor  of  English,  Yale  University. 


FARMINGTON,  CONNECTICUT 


25  July  1944. 


Dear  Professor  Middeldorf, 

Yes,  I own  all  the  originals  of  Mann's 
letters  to  Horace  Walpole,  892  in  number.  We  began 
the  editing  of  them  three  years  ago,  but  the  war  has 
interrupted  that  part  of  our  work.  They  are,  never- 
theless, partially  indexed,  and  I shall  be  delighted 
to  put  them  at  your  disposal  the  next  time  you  are  at 
the  Yale  Library. 

Yours  sincerely, 

ft.  $ Ji\AvCa 


Professor  Ulrich  Middeldorf, 
Chairman,  Department  of  Art, 
The  University  of  Chicago, 
Chicago,  Illinois 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2016  with  funding  from 
Getty  Research  Institute 


https://archive.org/details/mannmannersatcou01dora 


4 MANN 5 AND  MANNERS. 


‘MANN’  AND  MANNERS 

AT  THE 

COURT  OF  FLORENCE, 

1740— 1786. 


FOUNDED  ON  THE  LETTERS  OF  HORACE  MANN 
TO  HORACE  WALPOLE. 


ur 

DR.  DORAN,  F.S.A., 

AUTHOR  OP 

‘LIVES  OF  THE  QUEENS  OF  ENGLAND  OF  THE  HOUSE  OF  HANOVER,’  ETC. 


IN  TWO  VOLUMES. 
VOL.  I. 


LONDON : 

RICHARD  BENTLEY  AND  SON, 

ilublisljers  in  ©cbtnarg  to  p?er  fHajestg. 

1876. 


(All  rights  reserved .) 


LONDON : 

FEINTED  BY  WILLIAM  CLOWES  AND  SONS, 
STAMFORD  STREET  AND  CHARING  CROSS. 


■nt  <i£Tnr  CEMIEB 
LIBRARY  a 


THESE  ILLUSTRATIONS  OF 


LIFE  IN  ITALY  DURING  THE  EIGHTEENTH  CENTURY 

ARE  DEDICATED  TO 

WILLIAM  P.  FRITH,  Esq.,  R.A., 

WITH  VERY  PLEASANT  MEMORIES 
AND  THE 

MOST  FRIENDLY  WISHES. 


CONTENTS  OF  YOL.  I. 


INTRODUCTORY  CHAPTER. 

PAGE 

The  Mann  Family — The  Mann  Pedigree — Walpole  in  France — 
Walpole  in  Italy — Walpole  with  Mann — The  Family  of  Medici 
■ — The  Last  of  the  Medici — The  Lorraine  Court  in  Florence 
— The  Princess  de  Craon — Mann  as  a Letter- writer  ...  ...  1 


CHAPTER  I. 

1741. 

The  Princess’s  Party — Etiquette — Prince  Kaunitz — English  and 
Foreign — Ceremony — A French  Abbe — His  Romantic  Story — 
English  in  Florence — Police  and  People — Lady  Walpole — The 
Plague  — A Serenade  ■ — General  Wachtendonck  — The  Silent 
Company — English  Critics — The  Cicisbeos — An  Adventure — 
Match  Making — England  and  Italy — At  the  Theatre — Operatic 
Riot — A Fraudulent  Banker — Jacobite  Movement — Intrigues  12 


CHAPTER  II. 

1742. 

Warlike  Movements — Admiral  Haddock — At  the  Opera— Oliver 
St.  John  — Earthquake  — Condition  of  Leghorn  — News  from 
Home  — Troubles  and  Amusements  — Mann’s  Illness  — The 
Spaniards  in  Tuscany — Domestic  Scenes — Mrs.  Goldworthy — 
Cedrati — The  Jacobites  — War  — Mann  at  Home  — Madame 
Griffoni  — Antinori  — Politics  — Theatricals  — Mann’s  House 
— Lady  Walpole  — Presents  from  England — The  Princess  de 
Craon — Prince  and  Princess — Madame  Griffoni — Festivals — 
Foreign  Post — Lady  Walpole — The  Grand  Electress —Monte- 


CONTENTS. 


mar — Alarms — On  Sea  and  Ashore— At  the  Pretaja — From 
Madeira — Mr.  Wright  storms  Lucca — Climates — The  Pri- 
mate of  Lorraine — Ideas  of  Neutrality — Balaam  and  his  Ass — 
Hospitality  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  36 


CHAPTER  III. 

1742. 

The  Pretender — At  thePetraja — English  Sailors — Captain  Smith— 

A Christening — Sposo  and  Sposa — Monsieur  de  Beauvau— 
Cavaliers  and  Coachmen- — Scandal — A Young  English  Gentle- 
man—Mr.  Chute’s  Letter — Fooling — Company  at  Mann’s— 
War  Bulletins — Pleasures — Prospects  of  Tuscany — Alarm  at 
Naples — A Yalet  in  trouble — Gratitude  ...  ...  ...  79 

CHAPTER  IY. 

1742. 

Amateur  Concerts — Divers  and  Sundry — Mann,  neglected — Mann 
and  Richecourt  — English  Fleet — Marching  and  Counter- 
marching— The  English  Admiral — War — Strong  Measures — 
Merry-making — English  Captains — Illegitimate  Medici — A 
Mad  Bishop — Censorship — Watching  Pope  and  King — The 
Domenichino — The  Pope  and  Maria  Theresa — The  Pope  in 
trouble — A Strange  English  Admiral — Festivities  ...  ...  98 


CHAPTER  Y. 

1742. 

A Lazy  Lady — Rural  Entertainments— Satirical  Medal— A Lively 
Nun — A Domenichino  by  Sasso  Ferrate — English  Naval 
Captains — More  Captains— At  Home  and  at  Court — Sailor’s 
Politics — Royal  Gifts — Cold  Ceremony— A Quarrel — Unwilling 
to  fight — Husband  and  Cicisbeo — Sposi  e Spose — Princely 
Economy — Bribing  a Minister — Delicate  Corruption  ...  119 


CHAPTER  VI. 
1743. 


Theatres — Italian  Fever — The  Dowager  Electress — Cold  Com- 
fort— A Duel — An  Illustrious  Stranger — A Poor  Rich  Man— 


CONTENTS. 


IX 


The  Influenza — Death  of  the  Daughter  of  Cosmo  III. — Strange 
Arrangements — Travelling  English — The  Electress’s  Will- 
Bequests — Legacies — The  Funeral — The  Medici — A Duel — 
King  Theodore — Naval  Battle — An  Illiterate  Admiral — Small 
Talk — The  ‘ Burletta’- — Ii  Furibondo — The  Duchess  of  Modena 
— English  in  Florence — Plague — Against  the  Plague — A 
Medal  well  earned — A Tender  Bride — Madame  Sarasin  ...  137 


CHAPTER  VII. 

1744. 

The  Pretender  and  his  Son — Prince  Charles  Edward — His  Progress 
— Jacobite  Excitement — Suspense — Papal  Sympathy — Charles 
Edward  in  France — The  Coffee-pot— Admiral  Rowley — Patron- 
age— Arrears  of  Pay — An  Adventurer— M.  de  Magnan — Car- 
nival — La  Tesi  — Italian  Marriages  — English  Marriages  — 
Epithalamium — Mann’s  Nights — Friends  and  Lovers— A Poor 
Match  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  168 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

1745. 

Mutual  Presents — Ignorant  Captains — Savona  bombarded — Move- 
ments of  Charles  Edward — Jacobite  Plans — Progress  of  Charles 
Edward — Sea  Fight— Letter  to  the  Old  Chevalier — Letters 
from  Rome — Flying  Reports — The  Chevalier’s  Sons — English 
Jacobites  in  Rome — The  Jacobite  Pope — Scenes  in  Rome — The 
Old  Chevalier — The  Leghorn  Merchants — Papal  Perplexity — 
Pope  and  Pretender — The  Emperor  Francis  ...  ...  189 


CHAPTER  IX. 

1745. 

Social  Traits — Speculation — The  Craons — Sorrow  and  Joy — Eti- 
quette— Legacy  Duties — -Death  of  the  Earl  of  Orford — Lady 
Orford— Mr.  Chute — His  Letter — Prince  de  Beauvau— Wal- 
pole’s Eagle — Family  History — Mr.  St.  John — The  Emperor 
Francis — A Riot  in  Rome — Abuse  of  the  Pope — Coupling — 
Sea-Bears  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  208 


X 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTEE  X. 

1746. 

PAGB 

The  Jacobite  Invasion — English  Jacobites  in  Eome — Jacobite 
Beports — Jacobites  in  Florence — Conflicting  Intelligence — At 
Sea — Eome  and  Florence — Pretended  Jacobite  Victory — Jacob- 
ite History — The  Higher  Powers — The  Wandering  Stuart — 
Uncertainty — Jacobite  Hopes — Cardinal  Aquaviva — The  Young 
Pretender — An  English  Gentleman — Garden  Assemblies — Italy 
— Marchese  Folco — Orange-flower  Water — Satisfaction  ...  228 

CHAPTEE  XI. 

1747. 

A Ducal  Burglar — The  Opera  at  Florence—  The  Ballet — Escorting 
a Princess — Union  of  the  Churches — Dancing  Freemasons — A 
Point  of  Honour — The  Young  Chevalier — Naval  Court- 
martial— Eoute  of  the  Young  Chevalier — An  Italian  Spring — 
Jacobite  Views — An  English  Projector — Lord  Hobart — Henry 
Stuart,  a Cardinal — His  Eminence,  Cardinal  York — The  Duke 
of  Cumberland — A Bankrupt  Cardinal — Caffarelli,  a Ducal 
Vocalist — Prince  Pamfili — Scene  in  an  Opera  Box — The 
Ladies — Eival  Singers  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  249 


CHAPTEE  XII. 

1748. 

An  Eccentric  Peer — Death  of  Binuncim — Lent — The  Ex-King 
Stanislaus — Fire  on  Board  Ship — Cardinal  Albani — Casa 
Craon — Pope,  Priest,  and  Emperor — Pope  and  Bishop — 
Indiscretion — The  Cardinal  of  York — An  Affectionate  Wife — 
Mann’s  State-dinners — The  French  in  Genoa — An  Impostor — 

A Suicide — The  Young  Girls  at  Geneva  ...  ...  ...  272 

CHAPTEE  Xni 
1749,  1750. 

The  Young  Pretender — Eesignation  of  Prince  Craon — Movements 
of  the  Young  Chevalier — The  Jacobites — Opening  Letters — 
Entertainments — A Painted  Duke — A Trip  to  the  Jubilee — 
German  Navy- — Carnival— Society  in  Florence — Literature — 
Translated  Plays — The  Beast  and  the  Baron — A New  Fashion 
— A German  Marquis — Wit  of  Villars — The  Venetian  Ambas- 


CONTENTS. 


xi 


sadress — A Leader  of  Fashion — The  Pope  and  the  Venetians — 
English  Friends — Marriage  Speculations — Florentine  Villas— 
Patricians  and  Nobles — Mann  at  Fiesole — Literature  rewarded 
— Illustrious  and  Most  Illustrious — A Genuine  Hero  ...  289 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

1751,  1752. 

The  Empress  Dowager — New  Year’s  Day— Hot  Pies  in  Opera 
Boxes — Imperial  Funeral — The  Brother  of  Mme.  De  Pom- 
padour— Morals  in  Courts — A Widowed  Mistress— The  Pious 
Lucchi — Compulsory  Naturalization — An  Epigram — English 
Merchants  at  Leghorn — Lady  M.  W.  Montagu — Changes  in 
Cicisbeoship — Mr.  Conway — Gentlemen’s  Gentlemen — Wit  and 
Impertinence — Death  of  Mann’s  Father — A Guercino,  by  Astley 
— Six  Lives  for  One — Unwelcome  Guests — A West  Indian— The 
Stuart  Family — The  Esterhazys — Banquets — Duke  Leopold  of 
Lorraine — A cting  and  Playing  ...  ...  ...  ...  317 


CHAPTER  XV. 

1753,  1754. 

Duelling — Honour — Seeing  Company — Prince  of  Anspach — Lord 
and  Lady  Rochford — Theodore,  King  of  Corsica — Feastings — 
Wilton  the  Sculptor — Astley  and  Wilton — Bianca  Capello— 
History  of  a Picture — English  and  Florentines — State  Pleasures 
— Naples  and  Malta — The  Inquisition — A Little  War- 
Deserters — Pope  and  Emperor — Rome  and  Tuscany — A Fight- 
ing Friar — A Bandit  Dominican— The  Queen  of  Naples — 
Miracles — The  Papal  Nuncio — Duke  of  Bridgewater — Boling- 
broke — Lords  Cork  and  Huntingdon— Priests  and  Friars  ...  342 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

1755,  1756. 

Deaths  of  Cardinals — The  Due  De  Pentliievre — Sir  Horace  Mann, 
Bart. — The  Margravine  of  Bareith — A Curious  Game — The 
Margrave  of  Bareith — The  Kings  of  Prussia  and  England — 
Mann’s  Arms — French  Guests — Use  made  of  Martyrs’  Bones — - 
English,  departing — Character  of  Sir  Horace  Mann — Pretender. 
Elector  of  Cologne — Remedy  against  Hydrophobia — An  Old 
Joke — Voltaire’s  ‘ Pucelle  ’ — Causes  of  Earthquakes — Our 


Xll 


CONTENTS. 


PAGB 

Admirals — Lack  of  Sympathy — French  Successes — The  Pre- 
tender offended — Anti-English  Feeling — Illness  of  Eichecourt 
— Complications  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  372 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

1757. 

Pope  Benedict  XIV. — Death  of  Richecourt’s  Daughter— Damiens 
and  Louis  XV.— France  and  the  Young  Pretender — The  Pope 
and  the  King  of  France — The  Pope’s  Letter — A Blasphemous 
Prayer — Naval  Affairs — Exit  Eichecourt — Ginori — A Sick  Pope 
— Neglected  Tuscany — Picture-buying — Prussia  and  Austria 
— Difficulties — Te  Deum ! — Walpole,  on  the  Pope — The  Pope,  on 
Walpole— Mann,  Critical — Papal  Ignorance  ...  ...  396 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

1757. 

Before  the  Opera  Curtain — Manzoli — Our  Fleet  at  Leghorn — The 
King  of  Prussia — Speculation  — Marquis  Botta  — The  New 
Regent  — A Te  Deum,  whispered  — Baron  Stosch  — Mann’s 
Ambition — Rule  of  Action — Dr.  Cocchi — Character  of  Dr. 
Cocchi — Dr.  Cocchi’s  Works — The  Countess  Rena — Walpole’s 
Guest  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  ...  416 


‘MANN’  AND  MANNERS 

AT  THE 

COURT  OF  FLORENCE. 


In  the  year  1737  there  was  an  Assembly  in  the 
London  mansion  of  one  of  the  minor  Queens  of 
Fashion, — Mrs.  Strode.  To  a young  fellow  there, 
who  bore  about  him  a sober  look  of  satisfaction,  one 
of  the  light  and  lively  Princesses  of  that  Queen’s 
Court — dashing  Mrs.  Morehead — swept  up,  and  con- 
gratulated him  on  his  good  luck.  The  gentleman  was 
Mr.  Horace  Mann.  He  acknowledged  his  good  luck. 
Yes  ; Sir  Robert  Walpole  had  appointed  him  to  the 
English  Legation  at  Florence,  to  assist  and  soon 
succeed  the  present  envoy  from  England,  Mr.  Fane. 

‘ And  so,’  said  the  lively  lady,  ‘ you  are  going- 
abroad,  where  you  will  become  an  ambassador,  or 
some  great  man.  Well,  Sir,  if  I should  make  you 
a visit,  what  employment  will  you  give  me  ? ’ The 
by  no  means  too  modest  young  diplomatist  gave  her, 
at  once,  a reply.  It  was  one  of  those  saucy  answers 
which  fine  gentlemen  delivered  unblushingiy,  and 


VOL.  I. 


B 


2 


THE  MANN  FAMILY. 


which  fine  ladies,  laughing  gaily  behind  their  fans, 
took  much  more  as  a compliment  than  an  offence. 
It  took  very  much  the  form  in  prose  of  what  Chester- 
field said  in  his  rhymes  on  dear  Molly  Lepel ; and 
Mrs.  Morehead  was  as  little  stirred,  angrily,  by  Horace 
Mann’s  audacious  gallantry  as  Mary  Lepel  was  by 
Chesterfield’s  impudent  audacity. 

Horace  Mann  was  the  second  son  of  a country 
’squire,  Robert  Mann,  who  was  settled  at  Linton,  in 
Kent ; and  who  kept  this  son  on  a very  scanty 
allowance,  which  the  sire  stopt  as  soon  as  he  heard 
of  the  appointment  conferred  on  his  son  by  Sir 
Robert  Walpole.  The  father  had  never  moved  a 
finger  to  obtain  for  his  son  that,  or  any  other  employ- 
ment. It  was  a spontaneous  act  on  the  part  of  the 
great  English  statesman.  There  was  no  sympathy 
between  Robert  Mann  and  Robert  Walpole,  but  there 
was  much  friendship  and  a distant  cousinship  between 
their  two  sons,  the  two  Horaces — Walpole  and  Mann. 
The  Christian  names,  Robert,  Horace,  Edward,  and 
Galfridus,  were  common  to  both  families,  and  Horace 
Walpole  seems  to  have  had  as  sincere  an  affection  for 
‘ Gal,’  as  he  had  a warm  friendship  for  Horace. 

The  latter  says  in  a letter  from  Florence,  dated 
March  31,  1752  : ‘My  father  had  always  the  unac- 
countable vanity  of  appropriating  to  himself  great 
merit  even  in  what  he  called  providing  for  me,  though 
I owe  it.  totally  to  your  Father,  without  the  know- 
ledge, much  less  the  assistance,  of  mine ; so  that  really 
he  has  never  done  any  more  for  me  than  to  support 
me  scantily  for  a few  years,  till  I was  fixed  here, 
for,  from  that  moment,  he  stopped  the  poor  allowance 


THE  MANN  PEDIGREE. 


3 


he  made  me,  and  even  bragged  of  having  done  greatly 
for  me/ 

The  Florentines  were,  with  their  old  pride  of  blood, 
anxious  to  know  whether  Mann  were  cavalier  or  noble, 
gentleman  or  aristocrat.  Mann’s  mother  was  a Guise. 
‘ I never/  he  writes,  £ had  any  doubt  of  my  mother’s 
side.’  He  knew  less  of  his  father’s  descent.  He 
wished  something  could  be  made  out  of  it,  and  yet 
affected  to  think  that  it  did  not  matter  whether 
his  father’s  ancestors,  if  he  had  any,  were  hanged  or 
not.  Mann  indeed  knew  that  his  father’s  father  had 
possessed  and  ‘spent’  a small  estate,  which  had  been 
long  in  the  family ; and  that  his  own  father  had  once 
a mind  and  opportunity  to  buy  it  back,  but,  as  Mann 
supposed,  preferred,  under  some  impulse  of  vanity,  to 
be  the  first  of  his  folk  who  settled  in  another  place. 
Mr.  Chute  pretended  to  have  traced  Mann’s  descent  as 
far  back  as  his  great-great-grandmother,  and  he  said, 
according  to  Walpole’s  persiflage,  c by  her  character 
she  would  be  extremely  shocked  at  your  wet-brown- 
paperness,  and  that  she  was  particularly  famous  for 
breaking  her  own  pads.’  It  was  not  till  the  Floren- 
tines saw  Mann’s  pedigree  suspended  in  the  hall  of 
his  house  at  Florence,  that  they  were  fully  satisfied  of 
his  gentility.  As  he  left  London  in  1738,  to  repair 
to  his  post,  he  little  thought  that  he  was  destined 
to  occupy  it  for  nearly  half  a century,  and  that 
he  would  never  again  see  his  native  land. 

In  the  month  of  March,  1739,  among  the  pas- 
„ sengers  who  landed  at  Calais,  from  the  sailing  packet, 
were  Horace  Walpole  and  his  friend  Gray.  They,  at 


4 


WALPOLE  IN  FRANCE. 


once,  found  themselves  in  a new  world.  They  were 
hound  for  Italy,  taking  Paris  by  the  way,  for  their 
pleasure,  and  intending  to  stay  awhile  at  Rheims,  for 
the  purpose  of  perfecting  themselves  in  French, — a 
curious  preliminary  for  a sojourn  in  Italy. 

April  and  May  were  spent  by  the  travellers  in 
the  French  capital.  Horace  Walpole  made,  of  course, 
acute  observations  on  what  came  within  range  of  his 
experience.  French  music  set  his  fine  teeth  on  edge. 

‘ It  resembles,’  he  said,  ‘ gooseberry  tart  as  much  as  it 
does  harmony.’  French  splendour  mixed  with  squalor 
shocked  him.  His  sympathy  for  the  dead  Duke, 
whose  funeral  he  saw  from  the  window  of  a noble- 
man’s house,  was  disturbed  by  the  thought,  that 
though  the  palatial  rooms  were  hung  with  rich  damask 
and  gold,  the  broken  window  panes  were  mended  with 
paper.  French  religious  feeling  made  him  smile,  when 
he  heard  a Benedictine  call  miracles  by  the  name  of 
‘fables,’  and  saw  a priestly  showman  laugh  at  the 
relics  which  he  exhibited.  Walpole  looked  at  the 
fagade  of  the  palace  of  Versailles,  and  called  it  a 
‘ lumber  of  littleness.’  He  sauntered  through  the  trim 
gardens  and  among  the  c cascadelines,’  and  pronounced 
the  whole  a pretty  toy  enough  for  such  a great  child 
as  Louis  XIV.  Having  delivered  himself  of  so  much 
wisdom,  he  took  Gray  with  him  to  Rheims. 

June,  July,  and  August  in  the  city  where  the  Kings 
of  France  and  Navarre  used  to  be  solemnly  crowned, 
did  not  afford  Walpole  much  matter  for  comment. 
Royalty,  royal  troops,  and  royal  comedians  were  ex- 
pected, and  ‘ Our  women,’  he  remarks,  ‘ grow  more 
gay,  more  lively,  from  day  to  day,  in  expecting  them.’ 


WALPOLE  IN  ITALY. 


5 


With  a view  to  the  officers,  one  lady  was  ‘ brewing  a 
wash  of  a finer  dye,  and  brushing  up  her  eyes  for 
their  arrival.’  Another  was  reckoning  upon  ‘ fifteen 
of  them  ; ’ and  a Madame  Lelu,  ‘ finding  her  linen  robe 
conceal  too  many  beauties,  had  bespoke  one  of  gauze.’ 
In  September  the  wayfarers  were  among  the 
mountains  of  Savoy,  ‘ the  lonely  lords  of  glorious 
desolate  prospects.’  The  majesty  of  Nature  had  the 
unreserved  allegiance  of  the  most  artificial  of  gentle- 
men. In  October  they  were  at  Geneva,  then  back  to 
Lyons,  and  in  November  they  crossed  the  Alps, 

‘ carried  in  low  arm-chairs  on  poles,  swathed  in  beaver 
bonnets,  beaver  gloves,  beaver  stockings,  muffs,  and 
bear-skins.'  On  the  way,  a young  wolf  came  down 
and  carried  off  Walpole’s  pet  dog,  Tory.  Turin,  safely 
reached,  was  declared  to  be  one  of  the  prettiest  cities 
ever  seen.  Next  came  Genoa  and  Bologna,  with  the 
remark,  ‘we  don’t  go  a staring  after  crooked  towers 
and  conundrum  staircases.’  In  January,  1740,  the 
friends  were  over  the  Apennines  and  safe  in  Florence. 
After  Walpole  had  been  weeks  in  that  city,  he  wrote 
to  West : ‘ To  speak  sincerely,  Calais  surprised  me  more 
than  anything  I have  seen  since.’  He  adds,  ‘ The  most 
remarkable  thing  I have  observed  since  I came  abroad, 
is  that  there  are  no  people  so  obviously  mad  as  the 
English.’  Later,  he  became  £ fond  of  Florence  to  a 
degree ; ’tis  infinitely  the  most  agreeable  of  all  the 
places  I have  seen  since  London.’  The  Floren- 
tines liked  the  English  very  well,  and  Walpole  had  a 
gay  time  of  it.  During  the  Carnival,  he  says,  £ I 
have  done  nothing  but  slip  out  of  my  domino  into 
bed  ; and  out  of  bed  into  my  domino.’  In  March, 


WALPOLE  WITH  MANN. 


a P.S.  in  a letter  to  West,  says:  ‘Direct  to  me  (for 
to  be  sure  yon  will  not  be  so  outrageous  as  to  leave 
me  quite  off),  recommande  a Mons.  Mann,  Ministre  de 
sa  Majeste  Britannique  a Florence.’ 

After  brief  sojourn  with  the  Minister,  Walpole 
set  out  on  that  tour  in  Italy  which  he  has  described 
in  letters  from  Siena,  Rome,  and  Naples.  In  July  he 
was  again  in  Florence.  ‘ I am  lodged/  he  says,  ‘ with 
Mr.  Mann,  the  best  of  creatures.  I have  a terrace  all 
to  myself,  with  an  open  gallery  on  the  Arno.  Over 
against  me  is  the  famous  gallery  ; and  on  either  hand 
two  fair  bridges.  The  air  is  so  serene  and  so  secure, 
that  one  sleeps  with  all  the  windows  and  doors  thrown 
open  to  the  river,  and  only  covered  with  a slight 
gauze,  to  keep  away  the  gnats.’ 

One  of  the  periods  he  most  enjoyed  and  best 
remembered  was  the  month  he  spent  at  the  Fair  of 
Reggio,  where  the  strangest  figures  were  the  Duke  and 
Duchess  of  Modena,  whose  granddaughter,  the  Arch- 
duchess, he  received,  forty-five  years  later,  at.  Straw- 
berry. At  the  fair,  in  1745,  the  above  Duke  was  to  be 
seen,  ‘ with  a mound  of  vennillion  on  the  left  side  of 
his  forehead,  to  symmetrize  with  a wen  on  the  right.’ 
His  sister,  the  Princess  Benedict,  ‘ was  painted  and 
peeled  like  an  old  summer-house,  with  bristles  on  her 
chin  sprouting  through  a coat  of  plaister.’  Soon  after, 
Walpole  bade  farewell  to  Italy ; and  having  agreed 
that  the  two  Horaces  should  begin  and  maintain  a cor- 
respondence, by  letters,  Walpole  left  Mann  to  his  other 
duties  at  the  Court  of  the  Grand  Duke  of  Tuscany. 
One  word  as  to  this  personage  and  Horace  Mann’s 
position  at  his  Court. 


THE  FAMILY  OF  MEDICI. 


7 


Horace  Mann  entered  on  his  duties  at  the  begin- 
ning of  a new  era.  The  House  of  Medici  had  fur- 
nished Grand  Dukes  to  Tuscany  since  1569  ; for  the 
previous  three  hundred  years  the  family  had  been 
among  the  most  honoured  of  the  Florentine  Republic. 
There  came  a time  when  the  head  of  the  House  pre- 
ferred being  the  last  Magnate  in  the  Empire  to  the 
first  Man  in  the  Republic.  The  title  of  Grand  Duke, 
with  an  Imperial  body  of  troops  to  add  to  the  dignity, 
had  a higher  sound  than  that  of  Leader  or  Adviser  of 
the  Commonwealth.  The  flatterers  of  the  Grand 
Ducal  family  told  them  they  were  descended  from 
Charlemagne.  When  Mary  Stuart  was  provoked  to 
anger  by  Queen  Catherine  de’  Medici,  she  told  her 
royal  mother-in-law,  that  she  was  only  one  of  a race 
of  tradespeople. 

Roscoe  speaks  of  the  whole  Grand  Ducal  line  with 
withering  contempt,  not  quite  justifiable  in  its  uni- 
versal application.  But  no  measure  of  contempt  could 
reach  the  demerits  of  the  last  of  the  race,  Giovanni 
Gaston,  who  succeeded  to  the  title  in  1723.  At  this 
Duke  John’s  crapulous  court,  Mr.  (afterwards  Lord) 
Fane  was  the  English  Minister — and  the  predecessor 
of  Mann,  who  seems  to  have  been  for  a time  Secretary 
of  Legation  and  Mr.  Fane’s  substitute  when  that 
gentleman  was  indisposed. 

John  Gaston  was  not  a fool  by  nature,  but  an 
imbecile  by  abuse  of  it.  Born  in  1671,  he  succeeded 
the  travelled  Cosmo  in  1723.  In  1697  he  married  a 
widow,  Anna  Marie  of  Saxe  Lauenburgh,  a lady  of 
enormous  weight,  immense  self-will,  and  no  personal 
attractions.  In  order  to  forget  her,  her  first  husband 


8 THE  LAST  OF  THE  MEDICI. 


took  to  hard  drinking,  which  succeeded  in  killing  him  ; 
and  her  second,  John  Gaston,  ran  away  from  her  at 
the  end  of  a year.  His  mother,  Mary  of  Orleans, 
gave  him  a hearty  welcome  in  Paris,  but  in  Paris  as 
well  as  afterwards  in  Florence,  John  Gaston  was  more 
of  a rioter  in  taverns  than  a sojourner  in  palaces, 
among  decently-conducted  princes. 

Matters  went  worse  with  J ohn  and  with  his  country 
after  his  accession.  He  had  not  strength  to  rule  him- 
self, and  he  left  the  government  of  the  duchy  to  his 
valet,  Giulio  Dami.  There  was  no  heir,  apparent  or 
presumptive.  The  Grand  Duke  was  chief  buffoon  in 
the  company  of  buffoons  by  whom  he  was  surrounded. 
Half  his  time  was  passed  in  bed,  to  recover  from  the 
effects  of  the  half  ill  spent  out  of  it ; and  business 
became  such  a terror  to  this  pitiful  descendant  of 
the  great  citizen,  Lorenzo,  that  to  ask  him  to  sign 
a paper  was  like  asking  him  to  sign  his  own  death- 
warrant. 

The  Great  States  of  Europe  took  the  case  of 
Giovanni  Gaston  into  serious  consideration,  which 
concluded  by  their  proposal  to  confer  his  Grand 
Duchy,  after  his  death,  on  Don  Carlos,  son  of  the 
King  of  Spain,  and  Elizabeth  Farnese  of  Parma. 
John  protested  loudly  against  the  arrangement,  which, 
indeed,  came  to  nothing.  There  was  a disjointed 
condition  of  things  just  then  in  Europe  ; and  it  was 
sought  to  partly  repair  it  by  inducing  Francis,  Duke 
of  Lorraine,  to  give  up  his  duchy  and  hereditary 
estates  in  France,  in  exchange  for  the  Duchy  of 
Tuscany,  when  it  should  be  vacant,  and  the  hand 
of  the  Archduchess  of  Austria,  the  Maria  Theresa. 


THE  LORRAINE  COURT  IN  FLORENCE. 


9 


Duke  Francis  strove  hard  to  keep  Lorraine  and  get 
Tuscany  and  Maria  Theresa  too.  But  he  was  told 
somewhat  peremptorily,  ‘No,  no  ! Without  sur- 
render of  Lorraine,  no  Tuscany,  no  wedding  with 
the  Archduchess.’  Francis  acquiesced  in  an  arrange- 
ment which  ultimately  made  of  him  an  Emperor 
of  Germany.  Meanwhile,  as  John  Gaston  con- 
veniently and  characteristically  died,  in  1737,  Duke 
Francis  succeeded  to  the  Tuscan  Duchy,  and  Mr. 
Fane  represented  England  at  his  court. 

Francis  was  not  a resident  Grand  Duke  ; he  lived 
at  Vienna,  and  left  the  Prince  de  Craon  at  Florence 
to  administer  the  affairs  of  the  dukedom.  The  court 
swarmed  with  Lorrainers.  All  the  good  posts  were 
given  to  gentlemen  from  Lorraine,  and  the  Prince  de 
Craon  held  the  best  of  all.  He  was  a Beauvau, 
descended  of  the  old  Angevin  house  so  called,  which 
had  furnished  many  a brave  soldier,  wise  statesman, 
and  gifted  scholar  to  France.  His  father  had  been 
the  trusty  servant  of  Duke  Leopold.  Duke  Leopold 
had  an  ‘ illegitimate  mistress,’  and  a legitimate  son, 
Francis.  The  younger  M.  de  Beauvau  took  the  son 
for  his  pupil  and  the  mistress  for  his  wife.  When 
Francis  became  Grand  Duke,  he  remembered  this 
double  service  to  his  father  and  himself,  and  he 
obtained  the  elevation  of  M.  de  Beauvau  to  the 
dignity  of  a Prince  of  the  Holy  Roman  Empire, 
The  Prince  and  his  Princess  are  prominent  figures  in 
the  earlier  records  in  the  following  pages. 

The  Princess  de  Craon  wms  not  much  of  a Princess. 
Duke  Leopold  of  Lorraine  was  a gallant  and  hand- 
some man.  There  was  one  lady  at  his  court  who 


10 


THE  PRINCESS  EE  CRAON. 


cared  nothing  for  his  gallantry  or  good  looks.  She 
wrote  as  much  to  her  husband,  absent  in  Tuscany;  but 
the  gallantry  was  so  insinuating  and  the  good  looks 
so  irresistible,  that  the  lady  at  last  wrote  to  her  hus- 
band, that  if  he  did  not  immediately  take  her  away 
from  Lorraine,  she  would  not  answer  for  the  conse- 
quences. She  was  ‘ erept  ’ from  the  gay  court ; and  the 
balked  Duke  thereof,  walking  abroad  in  the  meadows  to 
digest  his  melancholy,  saw  a buxom  girl  in  a field 
driving  turkeys.  His  melancholy  was  cured.  In  a 
week  the  thoroughly  washed  and  newly  decked  rustic 
beauty  was  lolling  and  laughing  from  one  of  the 
windows  in  the  ducal  palace  at  Nancy.  This  was  the 
lady  who  was  afterwards  married  by  M.  de  Beauvau. 
For  their  respective  services  they  became  Prince  and 
Princess  de  Craon,  and  they  were  vice-gerents  in 
Florence  for  Francis,  the  husband  of  Maria  Theresa. 

At  that  Court  of  Florence,  Mr.  Mann  did  Mr.  Fane’s 
work  for  nearly  two  years,  before  he  (Mann)  was  the 
regularly  appointed  minister,  and  he  frequently  com- 
plains that  though  he  did  the  work,  Mr.  Fane  (remain- 
ing nominally  Minister,  and  really  not  in  the  Duchy  at 
all)  received  the  whole  of  the  pay ! Mr.  Fane  was 
a very  particular  person,  and  was  very  easily  put  out. 
Walpole  speaks  of  him  as  having  ‘ once  kept  his  bed 
six  weeks,  because  the  Duke  of  Newcastle,  in  one  of 
his  letters,  forgot  to  sign  himself,  your  very  humble 
servant,  as  usual,  and  only  put,  your  humble  servant.  ’ 

Walpole’s  letters  to  Mann  were  periodically  returned 
to  the  writer,  at  his  own  request,  as  they  were  written, 
as  most  of  his  letters  were,  for  posterity.  Mann, 
in  return,  literally  wrote  reams  of  paper.  They  con- 


MANN  AS  A LETTER-WRITER. 


11 


tain  a great  deal  of  what  Gratiano  furnished  by  word 
of  mouth,  ‘ an  infinite  deal  of  nothing  ’ ; and  one 
might  say  of  the  writer  in  every  page,  as  Sir  John 
says  to  the  Prince,  £ thou  hast  damnable  iteration.’ 
Moreover,  very  much,  in  some  thousands  of  letters, 
is  a mere  repetition  of  Walpole’s  home  news,  or  dull 
comment  thereupon.  No  small  space,  too,  is  occupied 
by  reports  from  foreign  Gazettes,  followed  by  correc- 
tions of  the  reports,  by  the  Gazettes  themselves.  But 
the  letters,  slip-shod  in  style  and  loose  in  their  spelling 
as  they  are,  are  rich  in  illustrations  of  Life  in  Italy 
during  nearly  half  of  the  last  century.  To  these 
illustrations  the  following  pages  are  confined, — and 
they  are  now  submitted  to  that  pleasant  old  friend, 
— The  Courteous  and  Gentle  Reader. 


12 


THE  PRINCESS'S  PARTY. 


1741. 


CHAPTER  I. 

1741. 

£ I am  just  come  from  the  Princess’s/  writes  Mann,  in 
May,  1741,  ‘ where  was  much  company  in  the  great 
apartments.  It  was  not  an  invitation,  hut  a hint 
given  to  the  ladies  that  their  going  would  please. 
The  Prince  took  an  opportunity  to  make  me  under- 
stand ’twas  no  invitation,  by  saying  he  could  not  tell 
by  what  accident  all  that  company  was  met ; but 
supposed,  to  see  Count  Kaunitz,  the  handsome  Ger- 
man. I found  each  dame  protesting  to  her  Cicisbeo, 
that  she  could  not  see  anything,  extraordinary ; that 
he  was  proud,  affected,  tho’  very  well  made ; but  he 
sat  three  hours  at  his  toilette  every  morning,  and  that 
the  Inglesino  (Hervey)  was  much  handsomer,  to  which 
most  of  the  men  agreed.  Mme.  Bolognetti  was 
there,  by  way  of  returning  the  visit  the  Princess 
made  her  yesterday.  The  three  first  days,  she  had 
“colique,”  “accablements,”  et  “vomissment,”  but  being 
given  to  understand  all  would  not  do,  she  at  last 
went. 

‘There  has  been  a strange  demele  between  Mes- 
dames  Griffoni  and  Yitelli.  It  happened  on  the  road 
from  Leghorn.  The  former  desired  leave  to  pass  her 


1741. 


ETIQUETTE. 


13 


chaise,  which  was  not  granted.  However,  it  passed  ; 
then,  the  second  chaise  (with  some  of  Madame  Grif- 
foni’s  attendants,  young  Panciattici  and  another)  fell 
down.  Madame  Vitelli  ordered  her  postillion  to  pass 
over  it.  This  could  not  be  done,  and  the  stop  gave 
room  for  harsh  discourse.  Vitelli  told  the  men  they 
were  B — -f- — ti  ! They  replied  Bu — g — ne,  etc.  In 
short,  they  all  came  to  Florence  in  high  wrath,  and  now 
each  lady  asks  satisfaction;  and  the  whole  affair  is  put 
into  the  hands  of  two  wise  gentlemen  to  make  an 
‘ agiustamento,’  but  they  don’t  know  how  to  dispose 
of  the  above  titles.  Though  everybody  condemns 
Vitelli  and  subscribes  to  her  title.  Carducci  is  in  the 
thickest  of  it  all ; as  he,  on  this  occasion,  abandoned 
her  for  the  Griffoni,  who  had  four  chaises  of  attend- 
ants ; the  other  only  one. 

‘ The  Princess  went  last  week  to  the  Opera  ; made 
it  wait  till  an  hour  and  \ ; was  received  at  the  door 
by  a crowd  of  Cavaliers ; behaved  stiff,  and  went 
away  before  the  second  dance.  All  this  moves  con- 
versation here.’ 

May  23rd,  1741. — CI  cannot  help  telling  you  what 
a Rook  Prince  Kaunitz  has  been,  and  with  what  art 
he  has  got  several  pretty  things  whilst  he  was  at 

Florence.  He  first  attacked  the  Bishop  of  A , 

praised  a stone  snuff-box  of  his  excessively ; which 
for  a long  while  had  no  effect,  but  at  last  told 
him  that  it  was  finer  than  that  the  Ele'ctress  had 
given  him;  which  the  Bishop  could  not  withstand, 
and  according  to  the  Italian  fashion,  told  him,  it 
was  al  suo  commando.  The  word  was  no  sooner  out 
of  his  mouth,  but  the  Baron  put  it  into  his  pocket. 


14 


P BINGE  KAUNITZ. 


1741. 


He  then  went  to  Stosch’s,  and  after  having  seen  many 
things,  told  him,  he  believed  he  was  related  to  him. 
Stosch  was  agreeably  surprized  to  find  so  great  a 
cousin,  and  asked  him,  how  ? The  other  replied  that 
his  name  was  likewise  Stosch.  This  wanted  also 
explanation,  which  was  cleared  up  by  telling  him  that 
his  name  was  Stosch-Kaunitz.  There  being  then  no 
doubt  that  they  were  nearly  related,  Stosch  embraced 
him,  and  rewarded  him  for  his  humility,  or  rather  to 
act  nobly  according  to  his  great  birth  and  of  Casa 
Kaunitz,  by  presenting  to  him  a gold  hilt  for  a 
Hanger,  and  two  very  good  Intaglios.  Buonclelmonte 
gave  him  the  “ Museum  Florentinum  ; ” Ginori,  the 
“ Vocabulario  della  Crusca,”  and  he  asked  General 
Braitwitz  for  two  Neapolitan  horses,  on  a promise 
to  send  him  two  of  his  own  Stud  from  Vienna,  which 
Braitwitz’s  friends  bid  him  never  expect ; and  now 
each  of  these  generous  people  laugh  at  the  other,  for 
being  so  easily  caught.  Stosch  thinks  he  is  the  only 
gainer,  as  he  has  acquired  great  nobility ! ’ 

Stosch  was  a noble,  like  Kaunitz,  and  was  a diplo- 
matist also,  after  a certain  fashion.  He  was  a Prussian 
virtuoso  ; but  he  was  employed  by  England,  as  a spy 
on  the  ‘ Pretender.’  General  Braitwitz  was  the  com- 
mander of  Maria  Theresa,  the  Queen  of  Hungary’s 
troops  in  Tuscany.  He  was  an  amazingly  ignorant 
person.  He  spoke  of  the  Queen  and  the  King  of 
Sardinia  as  ‘ Ces  deux  Potences,’  meaning  ‘ Potentats.’ 
Among  the  English  sojourning  at  Florence,  at  this 
time,  was  the  eccentric  Lady  Walpole.  Her  maiden 
name  was  Margaret  Rolle.  She  was  a great  Devon- 
shire heiress,  and  she  was  married  to  Sir  Robert 


1741. 


ENGLISH  AND  FOREIGN. 


15 


Walpole’s  eldest  son,  who  was  raised  to  the  peerage 
in  his  father’s  lifetime.  She  soon  separated  from  her 
husband.  At  Florence,  Count  de  Richecourt  was  her 
recognized  lover.  The  Count  (a  Lorrainer)  was  the 
creature  of  the  favourite  minister  of  the  Grand  Duke. 
He  treated  the  De  Craons  with  an  aggravating  amount 
of  lofty  scorn  ; and  he  did  not  care  to  be  otherwise 
than  capricious  and  aggravating  with  my  lady. 

‘I  must  tell  you,’  writes  Mann,  ‘that  you  are 
infinitely  mistaken  in  thinking  that  my  lady  took  the 
reception  ill  from  her  Count.  There  are  pieces  of 
sincerity  and  freedom  that  spoil  nothing.  I hear  that 
he  has  ordered  a very  fine  chariot,  which  is  to  cost 
600  crowns,  and  to  be  presented  to  her.  I believe  in 
my  conscience,  an  affair  is  struck  up  with  the  Senator 
Rucellai,  who  is  eternally  there  ! ’ 

Among  the  able  medical  men  of  Florence,  no  one 
was  more  able  or  distinguished  than  Dr.  Cocchi,  Mann’s 
favourite  physician.  ‘ ’Tis  terrible,’  the  minister 
writes  in  May,  ‘ a man  of  his  worth,  and  who  might 
be  so  useful  to  society,  should  be  so  neglected.  They 
have  made  him,  in  company  with  two  old  women 
(Franchi  and  another),  Inspector  and  Regulator  of  the 
Sick  in  the  Hospital,  which  honour,  as  ’tis  termed  in 
the  letter,  from  the  Secretary’s  office,  of  notification, 
he  seems  determined  to  refuse.  What  do  you  think 
his  gain  would  be  for  an  immense  deal  of  trouble  ? 
Why,  some  long  wax  candles ; perhaps  eight  or  ten 
pounds  of  wax,  a year ; and  this  honour  and  profit 
the  Court,  who  on  all  occasions,  professes  infinite 
esteem  of  his  merit,  has  procured  him.  As  therefore 
he  is  neither  sensible  of  the  one  nor  of  the  other,  I 
can’t  blame  him  to  refuse  them.’ 


16 


CEREMONY. 


1741. 


June  the  13th,  Mann  writes  of  the  Duke  of 
Modena’s  plump  and  handsome  sister : ‘ The  Princess 
of  Modena  is  here.  There  is  a violent  demele,  and 
our  Princess  has  not  been,  or  will  go,  to  see  her. 
Some  time  ago,  she  employed  the  Bishop  of  Assamea  (?) 
and  de  Sade  to  write  to  Modena  to  settle  the  inter- 
view : — to  be  met  at  such  a distance  ; not  to  wait  a 
moment ; an  equal  chaise  ; and  the  right  hand.  The 
negotiators  told  Madame  de  Craon  all  was  settled  and 
agreed  to.  The  night  of  the  other’s  arrival,  she  sent 
Marquis  Forzoni  to  compliment  her  and  to  know  the 
hour  precisely  she  might  come.  The  answer  was 
whenever  she  pleased,  and  how  impatient  she  was  to 
see  her.  Forzoni  had  private  instructions  to  touch 
on  the  affair  of  the  right  hand,  which,  by  the  answer 
he  received,  shows  it  was  far  from  being  agreed  to. 
Count  Somebody,  who  acts  as  her  Great  Master,  told 
him  the  pretention  was  extraordinary  and  could  not 
be  allowed.  He  went,  however,  to  his  Princess,  who 
returned  the  same  answer,  adding,  that  however  great 
her  desire  was  to  see  Madame  de  Craon,  yet  she  did 
not  dare  give  up  what  her  house  had  always  insisted 
upon,  for  fear  of  offending  her  mother.  At  Forzoni’s 
return  all  was  in  a flame.  “ Comment ! Elle  ne  me 
donnera  pas  la  main  ? Madame  de  Modene  fera  ceque 
lui  plaira ; mais  je  n’irai  point;  je  ne  mettrai  pied 
dans  sa  maison;  je  me  dispenserai  bien  de  la  voir  !”  etc., 
etc.,  etc.  Since  which  Mme.  de  Craon  goes  much  about 
en  attelage,  with  an  Ecuyer  on  horseback,  and  braves  it 
out.  The  Eegency  sent  the  Prince  of  Modena  a nasty 
present  of  eatables,  very  ordinary  servants  of  the 
Court,  and  very  scrub  coaches,  which  she  makes  use  of 


1741. 


A FRENCH  ABBE. 


17 


with  a guard  at  her  door.  She  would  not  use  the 
Duke  of  Tuscany’s  box,  though  it  is  lighted  and 
adorned  every  night.  They  have  taken  the  box  over 
against  mine,  joined  with  that  of  the  singers, — hung 
with  damask  and  well  illuminated.  She  is  courteous 
to  a degree,  and  is  adored  by  all  the  ladies,  whom  she 
entertains  by  turns  at  dinner,  and  who  pay  her  great 
court.  When  she  does  not  go  to  the  Opera,  she  stays 
at  home  and  receives  the  whole  town.’ 

Mann  subsequently  passes  to  a story  which,  as  lie 
says,  for  the  variety  of  incident  merits  a place  in  a 
romance. 

‘ Count  Lorenzi  (a  Florentine,  but  Minister  from 
France)  received  last  post  a letter  from  Cardinal 
Tencin,  to  desire  he  would  apply  to  the  government 
to  have  a French  Abbe,  who  was  some  days  before 
arrived  here,  secured  in  the  fortress.  This  was  im- 
mediately done.  The  Abbe’s  story,  as  Prince  Craon 
told  it  me  yesterday,  is  as  follows : — He  is  born  of 
noble  parents,  in  some  part  of  France.  His  mother 
was  taken  in  labour  when  abroad,  and  put  to  bed  in  a 
little  hut.  The  child  and  she  were  carried  home  in  a 
chaise  some  time  after.  The  former  had  fits  and 
showed  little  signs  of  life  ; was  therefore  baptized  in  a 
great  hurry,  and  by  mistake  they  made  use  of  rose- 
water instead  of  pure.  The  circumstance  appears 
trifling,  but  will  appear  of  consequence  in  the  sequel. 
From  his  infancy,  to  the  age  of  17  or  18,  nothing  ex- 
traordinary happened.  He  followed  his  studies  with 
a view  of  attaching  himself  to  the  Church.  He  then 
travelled  about  France,  where  he  fell  in  love  with  and 
married  a woman  of  fashion,  unknown  to  his  father,  to 


YOL.  1. 


C 


18 


IIIS  ROMANTIC  STORY. 


1741. 


whom  he  returned,  and  was  pressed  to  take  his  degrees, 
which  he  began  by  the  tonsure,  thinking  that  of  no 
consequence.  Soon  after,  he  received  advice  of  his 
wife’s  death,  at  the  same  time  that  she  did  of  his.  He 
then  went  on  and  became  a Priest.  She  did  not  give 
credit  so  easily  to  his  death,  but  wrote  to  the  Cure  of 
the  parish  where  he  lived,  and  was  confirmed  by  him 
that  such  a one  of  that  name  was  dead  and  buried.  The 
mistake  was  occasioned  by  the  death  of  his  brother. 
She  soon  after  married  a second  husband,  who  died 
soon.  Some  years  after,  the  Abbe  returned  to  the 
place  where  his  wife  lived,  and  made  an  acquaintance 
who  told  him  there  was  a lady  at  a small  distance  in 
the  country  who  had  a great  curiosity  to  see  him, 
having  been  intimately  acquainted  with  a person  of 
his  name.  They  went.  At  his  first  entrance,  the 
lady  fainted  away.  He  had  forgot  her.  As  soon  as 
she  was  recovered,  she  desired  a tete  a tete,  and  soon 
convinced  him  that  she  had  been  his  lawful  wife.  He, 
preferring  his  first  engagement  to  all  others,  which  lie 
had  taken  in  consequence  of  her  supposed  death,  con- 
tinued with  her,  and  had  three  children,  and  called 
upon  his  brother  for  the  restitution  of  what  he  had 
renounced  when  he  became  a Priest.  They  refused  it 
on  his  being  no  Christian,  and  quoted  the  rose-water  ! 
On  this  a law  suit  was  commenced,  but  as  the  case 
was  so  extraordinary  and  so  intricate,  nobody  but  the 
Pope  could  determine  it.  The  Priest  therefore  went 
to  Rome,  and  has  been  in  the  house  and  under  the  pro- 
tection of  Abbe  Franchini.  What  success  he  had  there 
is  not  yet  known.  He  left  Rome,  came  here,  and  was 
taken  up,  and  is  now  in  the  Fortezza  di  basso.’ 


1741. 


ENGLISH  IN  FLORENCE. 


19 


In  a P.S.  Mann  notices  the  arrival  of  certain  ‘hears  ’ 
and  their  ‘leaders’  in  these  words: — ‘Four  English 
are  arrived  here  to-day.  Mr.  Clepham,  who  was  with 
Lord  Mansel,  leads  the  other  three.  Their  names  I 
don’t  know.’  In  a subsequent  undated  letter,  he  refers 
to  these  gentlemen,  who  were  on  the  ‘grand  tour,’ thus 
— ‘ The  four  English,  the  most  silent  creatures  I ever 
saw,  arc  gone  to  Pisa,  but  will  return  to  my  little 
house  near  the  Arno.’  The  departure  of  the  Princess 
of  Modena,  after  scattering  diamonds,  snuff-boxes, 
and  gold-headed  canes  in  profusion,  among  those  who 
had  paid  most  court  to  her,  is  duly  announced,  at 
great  length.  Florence  was  not  much  the  duller  for 
her  going.  On  the  24th  June,  Mann  writes: — ‘ Here 
are  a vast  many  strangers,  both  men  and  women,  for 
our  St.  John.  Their  names  I don’t  know.  The 
English,  Mr.  Bouverie  (a  relation  of  Sir  Jacob)  and 
Mr.  Fuller,  I know  nothing  of,  nor  of  Mr.  Trap,  except 
that  he  is  a son  of  the  famous  Doctor  Trap  ; Miss  and 
Mr.  Clepham.  They  all  travel  at  Mr.  Bcuverie’s 
expense.  They  all  dined  with  me  and  Sir  Erasmus 
(Phillips),  but  such  a silent  meeting  I have  seldom 
seen  : I could  not  get  them  to  open  their  mouths  ; in 
short,  I was  vastly  fatigued.  They  go  nowhere,  on 
account  of  their  having  no  language.’  Another 
Englishman  is  noticed,  a Mr.  Sturgiss,  who  was  a 
friend  of  Lord  AValpole’s,  and  the  lover  of  Lord 
Walpole’s  wife  ; indeed,  he  came  abroad  with  her  ; but 
they  soon  parted,  yet  he  remained  a friend  to  whom 
my  lady  showed  ample  hospitality.  ‘ Sturgiss  has 
come  back,  but  there  is  so  little  room  for  him  in 
my  Lady’s  little  house,  that  she  lends  him  the  use  of 


20 


POLICE  AND  PEOPLE. 


1741. 


one  room  to  sleep  in.  Every  morning  liis  heel  is 
removed,  and  my  lady  receives  company  there.5 

In  a letter  of  July  1,  referring  to  St.  John’s  day, 
Mann  says : — ‘ On  St.  John’s  day  I was  at  the 
Prince’s  lodge  to  see  the  races.  The  Great  Duke 
won  the  Paglio.  When  it  was  carried  to  Prince 
Craon’s  house,  attended  by  crowds,  there  were  three 
solemn  Fischiati.  In  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day 
there  was  a country  fellow  to  see  the  show ; 7 or 
8 Gens  d’armes,  out  of  a joke,  beat  time  with  their 
canes  on  his  back.  The  fellow’s  entreaties  to  them  to 
give  over  were  in  vain.  At  last  he  turned  about  to 
the  people,  saying : “ Popolo,  ajutatemi ; quest!  mi 
ammazoranno  certo.”  No  sooner  were  the  words  out 
of  his  mouth  but  the  people  assaulted  the  Gen's  d’armes 
with  stones,  with  such  vigour  and  so  well  aimed,  that 
some  were  wounded,  and  had  it  not  been  for  a neigh- 
bouring church,  into  which  they  fled,  ’tis  thought 
they  would  have  been  murdered.  The  Priests  were 
forced  to  shut  the  doors,  which  was  hardly  sufficient 
to  prevent  the  people  entering,  whose  rage  was  so 
great  that  in  all  probability  they  would  have  finished 
their  work  even  at  the  altar.  Some  such  insolence  as 
this  will  one  time  or  other  occasion  a general  solleva- 
tion.  Woe  be  to  them  when  it  happens.’ 

Passing  from  the  c people  ’ ou  the  race- course  to 
the  ‘ Quality  ’ at  the  Opera,  Mann  says  ; — ‘ The 
Princess,  after  having  led  ’ (the  Duke  of)  £ St.  Aignan 
and  poor  Count  Lorenzi  in  triumph  through  the 
Corso,  in  her  phaeton,  went  in  the  same  state  to  the 
Opera,  in  the  Great  Theater,  and  supped  in  the  Great 
Duke’s  box.  The  Prince,  the  day  before,  came  behind 


1741. 


LADY  WALPOLE. 


21 


me,  and  with  liis  hands  on  my  shoulders,  prevented 
my  turning  so  as  to  see  who  it  was.  “ Devinez,”  says 
lie,  “ qui  je  suis,  vous  me  connaitrez  par  le  chaleur  do 
mes  embrassements.”  All  I could  answer  on  the 
sudden  was,  “ Ha,  ha ! mon  Prince  ; oui,  je  vous 
connois.”  What  else  can  one  say  to  such  things  ? ’ 

c I can’t  omit  telling  you  that  Count  R.’ 
(Richecourt,  Lady  Walpole’s  lover)  ‘ is,  I am  assured, 
sent  for  to  Vienna.  There  is  the  greatest  confusion  at 
a certain  house  ’ (Lady  W.’s),  ‘ but  I believe  she  will 
not  follow.  Whether  the  little  bottle’  (laudanum) 
‘is  to  be  used  on  this  occasion,  we  shall  soon  see,  but 
I fancy  the  drops  of  a larger  bottle  will  render  the 
former  useless,  seeming  to  be  convinced  they  are  a 
better  specific.  . . . Count  Richecourt  is  gone 

with  all  the  mystery  imaginable ; where,  nobody 
knows  ; nor  why.  He  asked  peoples’  orders  pour  Jes 
eaux.  My  Lady,  I suspect  much,  is  moving,  though 
the  Count  said  lie  should  return  in  3 months  ; to 
others,  G.  Sturgiss  ’ (the  other  lover)  ‘ was  sent  to 
Leghorn.  Nicolini,  the  Abbe,  her  creditor,  was  sent 
for,  and  told  by  her  that,  for  the  debt,  she  designed  to 
put  some  pearls  into  his  hands.  He  says  he  will  take 
them  ; and  I told  him  he  was  in  the  right.  Sturgiss 
asked  much  t’other  day  about  Geneva ; and  then  of 
Aix  in  Provence.  This,  you  will  say,  is  all  very  dark, 
but  still  I think  may  mean  something.  . . . Poor 
Prince  Craon  is  at  the  Petraja,  and  has  again  got  the 
itch  ! August  6. — Prince  Craon,  poor  man,  staid  at 
the  Petraja  to  scratch  himself.’ 

On  the  12th  August,  Mann  sent  Walpole  news  of 
a.  ‘ scare  ’ at  Leghorn.  ‘ The  whole  town  of  Leghorn 


22 


THE  EL  AGUE. 


1741. 


lias  been  alarmed  on  account  of  a sickness  that  lias 
been  discovered  on  board  a French  vessel  from  Algiers, 
which  is  judged  to  be  certainly  the  plague.  Six  people 
are  dead  already.  At  last,  the  Government  took  the 
resolution  to  send  the  ship  out  into  the  road,  and  after 
burning  for  6 hours  to  sink  her ; which  has  been 
executed.  The  remainder  of  the  crew  were  obliged  to 
swim  to  the  Marzocco  (a  little  fort),  where  everything 
was  prepared  for  them,  and  where  they  must  live  some 
months.  A second  alarm  has  been  occasioned  there 
by  the  dangerous  illness  of  General  Wachtendonck, 
who  has  been  given  over  by  his  physicians  and  turned 
over  to  the  priests.  He  was  not  dead  at  the  departure 
of  the  last  letter,  but  there  were  few  hopes.  They 
had  exposed  the  Sacrament  in  several  Churches,  and 
were  making  processions  for  his  recovery.  Though 
the  subject  is  melancholy,  I own  I could  not  help 
laughing  at  Mrs.  Goldworthy ’s  account,  — whose 
words  are,  “ There  is  no  hopes  of  his  doing  well. 
God  send  he  may,  as  he  has  but  few  equals.  1 am 
afraid  he  is  too  good  to  be  amongst  us  ! ” What 

words  could  Madame  make  use  of  stronger?  She  must 
have  told  him  he  has  no  equals.5 

The  moribund  warrior  was  General  of  the  Grand 
Duke’s  troops  at  Leghorn.  Mrs.  Goldwortliy’s  hus- 
band was  English  Consul  in  that  town,  where  he 
intrigued,  unsuccessfully,  to  supplant  Mann  at  Flo- 
rence. Madame  was  a niece  of  Sir  Charles  Wager, 
and  an  ill-educated  woman.  Wachtendonck  was  her 
Cieisbeo,  and  something  more.  He  spent  a good  deal 
of  money  on  her  ; and,  being  a methodical  man,  he 
put  down  every  Zecchino  in  his  account  book,  and 


1741. 


A SERENADE. 


23 


the  reason  for  which  it  was  expended.  Mann  was 
delighted  at  the  condition  in  the  domestic  affairs  of 
his  enemy,  the  Consul.  Meanwhile,  there  were  gay 
doings  at  Florence. 

‘ There’s  a very  great  Cocchiata  ’ (a  serenade  in 
coaches)  ‘ to  night  on  the  Terrass  of  the  Corsini  house, 
Lung’  Arno.  Chains  are  put  up  at  the  ends  of  the 
street,  to  prevent  Coaches  approaching,  so  that  the 
whole  town  will  he  there,  or  thereabouts,  a-foot ; ’tis 
a charming  situation,  you  know,  for  such  a thing ; 
and  the  night  is  most  favourable,  after  some  of  the 
hottest  days,  they  say,  of  this  or  any  other  summer. 
Oh,  if  you  were  here,  I am  sure  you  would  be  pleased 
and  would  be  among’st  ’em  in  your  long  night-gown, 
till  break  of  day.  ’Tis  made  by  12  Cavalieri,  set  on 
foot  and  managed  by  Abbate  Capponi.  It  begins  at 
5 hours.’ 

On  the  21st  August,  Mann  expresses  a hope  that 
some  at  least  of  the  letters  addressed  to  Walpole 
would  reach  him.  There  was  faint  reliance  on  the 
perfect  trustworthiness  of  the  Post  in  those  days. 
To  a reference,  made  by  Walpole,  to  Spence,  who 
was  travelling  with  him,  Mann  replies  : £ Spence,  I 
take  it,  will  always  be  a Fellow  of  a College ; that  is, 
with  all  their  classical  learning,  extreme  tiresome. 
It  is  a character,  extreme  difficult,  I have  observed, 
to  lay  aside ; but  how  few  people  there  are  we  can 
bear  to  be  locked  up  with  ! ’ The  Prince  de  Craon 
was  one  of  these.  ‘ The  Prince  and  Princess  are  still 
at  the  Pet-raja  ; and  the  Prince  extreme  bad  with 
the  Itch.’  Mann  adds  : ‘ Wachtendonck  is  dead.  He 
died  last  Tuesday  of  a malignant  fever  which  has 


24 


GENERAL  WAGHTENDONCE. 


1741 


been  common  here  among  the  poor  people,  attributed 
to  the  effects  of  the  inundation.  At  the  beginning 
of  his  illness,  he  sent  to  desire  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gold- 
worthy not  to  come  to  him.  He,  however,  went  and 
was  totally  neglected.  This  did  not  proceed  from 
pique,  but  from  a desire,  as  he  expressed  it,  to  “ fare 
il  gran  passo  come  si  dove vat’  The  Priests  soon  got 
about  him,  and  banished  the  two  pictures,  Mrs.  Gold- 
worthy’s  and  the  Princess  Triulzi’s,  from  his  bed-side, 
to  make  room  for  those  of  Saints  of  both  sexes.  Altars 
were  erected,  and  whole  loads  of  relicks  brought  him, 
to  which  the  pious  General  applied  with  great  fervour. 
I was  told  that  he  was  in  great  danger,  but  was  still 
kept  alive  aforza  delle  gran  preghiere,  and  that  Mrs. 

Gold had  caused  many  masses  to  be  said  for  his 

recovery  ; so  that  he  made  his  exit  quite  to  the  satis- 
faction of  the  Capuchins,  and  edification  of  his  Godly 
beholders.  His  Farewell  was  performed  with  great 
pomp,  after  he  had  lain  in  state  in  his  Hall,  in  the 
midst  of  altars  erected  for  the  occasion.  He  left 
Mrs.  Goldworthy  his  body  coach  and  a pair  of  horses, 
but  they  say  the  order  cannot  be  complied  with,  as 
it  was  verbal ; besides,  being  a Chevalier  de  Malta,  he 
could  not  bequeath  unless  he  had  a permission  for 
a fifth  part ; which  if  asked  is  never  denied. 

‘Last  night  (at  the  Opera),  Bali  Kinaldi  took  some- 
thing ill  of  Cavaliere  Pitti,  who  had  never  any  design 
to  offend  him,  and  less  inclination  to  fight,  which  the 
other  observing,  was  less  tractable.  But,  as  it  was 
near  my  box,  I was  desired  to  intercede  On  my 
first  appearance,  before  I knew  a word  of  the  story, 
Albergotti,  who  was  mediating,  said  : “ Via,  Signor 


1741. 


THE  SILENT  COMPANY. 


Bali.  Ecco  un  Ministro  chi  e capace  cli  fare  la  pace 
tra  1’  Inghilterra  e la  Spagna ; che  non  sia  mai  cletto 
cli’  abbia  mancato  in  questo.”  On  which  the  Bali  was 
more  compliant,  and  condescended  to  promise  not  to 
kill  Pitti.  It  has  been  since  said  that  I made  the 
Agiustamento.’ 

2 7 th  August. — ‘ Mr.  Chute  is  a good  deal  with  me. 
The  silent  company  dined  here  the  day  before  yester- 
day, and  as  most  of  them  are  downright  Johns,  Mr. 
Chute  was  convinced  they  despised  him  much.  They 
disliked  his  fan  extremely.  They  wanted  to  drink 
after  dinner ; but  you  know  I never  allow  that,  so 
called  for  coffee,  and  asked  them  if  they  would  not 
walk  in  the  garden.  I saw  they  were  out  of  humour, 
and  was  convinced  all  the  time  one  is  entertaining  and 
thinking  to  be  civil,  that  they  despise  one  vastly. 
Indeed,  there  are  so  few  worth  obliging  that  to  attempt 
it  is  time  and  money  thrown  away.  Last  night  we  had 
the  most  terrible  storm  of  rain  and  hail,  with  thunder 
and  lightning,  I ever  heard.  My  servants  were  all 
frightened  out  of  their  wits.  They  all  stuck  close 
together,  nor  would  separate  to  go  to  bed,  till  ’twas 
over.  I was  pleased  to  see  that  Giuseppe  ran  home  to 
his  wife,  the  moment  he  had  put  me  to  bed.  It  has 
cooled  the  air  so  much  that  I fear  I shall  be  drove 
out  of  the  Terreno  soon.  I shall  be  sorry  to  quit 
it,  for  ’tis  the  prettiest  appartment  I ever  saw.’ 

September  2nd. — ‘ I was  at  Mons.  Suares’  villa,  to 
see  his  “ Demetrio,”  which  I was  forced  to  praise 
vastly.  The  whole  town  was  in  raptures  about  it, 
though  it  was  bad  enough.  Mr.  Chute  and  I sat 
together  and  had  the  private  satisfaction  of  abusing 


26 


ENGLISH  CRITICS. 


1741. 


them  all  the  while,  hut  then  wc  had  the  mortification 
after  it  was  over  to  be  obliged  to  commend  every- 
thing, and  own  that  the  sentiments  were  great,  and 
that  Metastasio  was  unico.  Mr.  Chute  thanks  you 
for  liking  the  Maison  Quarree,  and  promises  in  return 
to  like  anything  you  please  to  direct.  He  is  ex- 
tremely entertaining,  but  he  found  out  that  the  herd 
of  English  do  not  take  to  him  ever  since  he  came  in 
his  fan.  . . . Poor  Prince  Craon  is  bad  with  his  itch  ; 
on  which  account  he  is  returned  from  the  Petraja. 
The  Princess  came  sore  against  her  will,  et  dans  la 
prevention  de  tomber  malade  d son  entree  dans 
Florence,  with  which  she  is  now  confined  to  her  bed. 
The  Prince  asked  me  if  I would  go  into  her  room, 
which  I accepted,  but  Forzoni  had  received  instruc- 
tions to  the  contrary,  so  all  was  over.  Conte  del 
Benniro  is  dead  at  last ! The  little  Countess  has  put 
her  husband  under  the  Papilli.  Some  blame  her 
much.  I had  not  seen  her  for  some  time  before 
yesterday,  and  that  was  at  a distance,  in  the  deepest 
mourning-coach  I ever  saw.  I did  not  know  her  at 
first,  but  was  soon  convinced  it  could  be  nobody  else 
by  her  extreme  liveliness  through  such  dismal  trappings. 
I thought  she  would  have  jumped  out  of  them,  so 
great  was  her  pleasure  to  be  met.  The  Sposo  and 
Sposa  Eossi,  from  high  words  have  come  to  blows. 
He  bore  the  first  tolerably  well,  but  when  Madame 
pushed  things  further,  he  turned  again,  pulled  off  her 
cap  and  tumbled  her  hair  so,  that  she  was  unfit  to 
appear  at  the  Conversation,  to  which  she  was  that 
instant  going.  Her  own  relations  are  against  her,  and 
she  has  been  told  that  if  she  goes  on  with  her  fisty- 


1741. 


THE  CICISBEOS. 


cuffs,  she  runs  great  risk  of  dying  in  a convent,  or  at 
best,  a villa.’ 

Sept.  10. — £ I was  last  night,  for  the  first  time,  at 
tire  Burletta,  at  the  little  theater  ; the  worst  entertain- 
ment I really  ever  saw.  The  first  woman  is  called 
La  Cecca,  from  being  protected  by  Cecco.  She  is  a 
third  sister  of  the  Giudita.  He,  Cecco,  introduced  her 
to  his  mother,  who  really  looked  upon  her  with 
pleasure,  made  everybody  observe  everything  that 
Avas  tolerable  about  her,  and  from  that  time  took  her 
under  her  own  protection.’ 

Mann,  in  a letter  dated  September  I7tli,  gives 
further  illustrations  of  Florentine  life,  in  a description 
of  a flutter  among  the  Cicisbeos,  at  a great  Festino  at 
Riccasoli’s : — - 

£ There  Avere  280  ladies,  and  men  out  of  all  pro- 
portion. It  proved  a fatal  night  to  the  Cicisbeos. 
In  the  first  place,  the  great  black-headed  Frescobaldi 
fairly  dismissed  her  Bernardino,  avIio  “per  verita  ed 
in  legge  cT  onore,”  Avas  greatly  disconcerted.  I expect, 
hoAvever,  to  hear  she  has  taken  him  on  again,  as  the 
fat  Antinori  can  never  be  sufficient  alone.  The 
Gaburra  dismissed  poor  Andre  Siristori,  who,  in 
appearance,  is  disconsolate.  I saAV  him  the  next 
night  at  the  opera.  She  Avas  in  my  box,  and  he  in  all 
those  opposite  to  it.  Some  suspect  that  her  relations 
have  made  her  uneasy,  and  that  this  separation  is  a 
concerted  matter.  Madame  Gondi  has  turned  off  the 
poor  pale-faced  Abbe  ; to  be  sure,  for  the  same  reasons 

that  Miss  Edwards  did  Lord  Anne . She  has 

not,  I hear,  yet  fixed  upon  another.  The  Vitelli 
pines  after  Avhat  the  Parigi  robs  her  of,  and  daily  sees 


28 


AN  ADVENTURE. 


mi. 


Giovanino’s  infidelities.  He  thinks  Conclucci  supplies 
his  place.  . . . The  greatest  heroine  of  all  is  the  Pepi. 
Pecori  left  her  for  a few  days,  for  the  Parigi.  I did 
not  know  till  lately,  she  was  so  exasperated,  that  she 
had  resolved  his  death  ; for  which  purpose  she  dressed 
herself  like  an  Abbe,  with  a couple  of  pistols  in 
her  pockets,  and  marched  out  to  waylay  him ; but, 
most  unluckily,  met  with  the  Guard  of  Sbirri,  who, 
after  a certain  hour,  stops  odd  figures,  to  search  for 
prohibited  arms.  They  found  the  pistols  upon  her, 
and  hurried  her  to  the  Bargello’s  prison,  where  she 
was  forced  to  discover  herself  to  be  an  injured  Lady, 
and  that  Love  was  the  cause  of  her  transports. 
Money,  I suppose,  helped  it  up,  and  she  was  dismissed 
to  go  home  to  sleep  by  her  husband/ 

‘ Cecco’s  mother  has  not  appeared  at  any  of  these 
places  ; she  says,  on  account  of  some  waters  she  is 
drinking,  which  require  her  to  stay  at  home  in  the 
evenings,  to  avoid  the  night  air.  But  Ceeco  was 
more  honest.  On  my  asking  him,  bonnement,  why  his 
mother  did  not  appear,  he  whispered  me  that  she 
had  no  jewels,  that  they  were  all  in  pawn,  nor  could 
be  redeemed  ! I have  known  her  pay  a monstrous 
price  for  the  use  of  her  own  jewels,  for  one  night  ; 
and  then  return  them  the  next  morning  to  the  jew. 
1 really  pity  her,  but  more  on  another  account.  She 
tells  me  that  if  it  were  possible  to  add  a little  more  to 
the  Dote  they  design  to  give  the  Teresina,  she  should 
have  hopes  of  marrying  her  to  Roberto  Pandolfini,  who 
has  explained  himself  so  far  as  to  discover  he  likes  her 
person  ; but,  as  his  mother  had  12,000  crowns,  he 
must  have  it  too.  However,  Madame  thinks  9 or  10 


1741. 


MA  TCH-MAKING. 


29 


Avould  do,  and  is  actually  employing  a tried  and 
common  friend  to  persuade  him  to  take  6,  which  is 
all  they  have  to  give.  That  oaf,  the  Bishop,  might 
give  her  something,  hut  he  has  declared  his  conscience 
wont  let  him  take  from  God,  to  give  his  niece.’ 

Among  the  Mann  letters,  there  is  occasionally  one 
from  Chute,  ‘To  the  Hon.  Horatio  Walpole,  Esq., 
These,’  is  the  superscription  over  some  chronicling  of 
small  beer,  with  this  notice  of  princely  malady  and 
manners : c The  poor  Prince’s  Distemper  being  of  a 
nature  to  be  carried  always  at  his  Fingers’  ends,  and 
so  not  admitting  of  enquiries  much,  I,  who  you  know 
am  half  blind,  must  be  ill  qualify’ d to  give  an  account 
of  his  Progress ; but  I think  he  does  not  ferret  so 
much  as  he  did.  His  Princess,  I believe,  enjoys  per- 
fect Health ; a Circumstance  always  supposed  con- 
ducing to  which,  she  took  care  to  mark  strongly  the 
other  night  to  her  whole  assembly,  by  addressing 
herself  to  us  all,  as  she  sail’d  in  all  her  floating 
majesty  from  the  further  end  of  the  Gallery  to  the 
Door  of  one  of  her  more  private  Apartments,  in  these 
Terms:  “Je  ne  demande  Permission  a Person  no 
you  know  how  to  accent  it,  and  explain  advan- 
tageously, as  I did,  to  the  state  of  her  Constitution.’ 
At  this  time  Walpole  had  returned  to  England. 
The  first  letter  addressed  by  him  to  the  British 
Minister  at  Florence,  was  begun  at  Calais  in  Sep- 
tember, 1741,  and  finished  at  Sittingbourne  (Kent)  on 
the  13th  of  the  month.  ‘The  country  town,’  writes 
the  wanderer,  at  home,  ‘ delights  me  ; the  populous- 
ness, the  ease,  the  gaiety,  and  well-dressed  every-body 
amaze  me.  Canterbury,  which  on  my  setting- out  I 


30 


ENGLAND  AND  ITALY. 


1741. 


thought  deplorable,  is  a Paradise  to  Modena,  Reggio, 
Parma,  etc.  I had  before  discovered  that  there  was 
nowhere  but  in  England,  “middling  people.”  I per- 
ceive now  that  there  is  peculiar  to  ns,  “middling 
houses.”  How  snug  they  are  ! ’ 

To  this  outburst,  Mann  replies  : — ‘ I am  glad  of 
all  that’s  in  your  letter ; that  you  are  safe  arrived  ; 
that  your  company  diverted  you  ; and  that,  at  landing, 
they  respected  the  person  of  your  trunks  ; and  am 
extremely  glad  to  find  that  you  was  struck,  as  I really 
was,  at  my  return  to  England,  after  having  been 
abroad,  where  there  is  such  a ragged  appearance, 
except  in  the  very  great  towns,  to  what  we  see  in 
the  middling  towns  at  home.  If  we  could  alter  some 
things  (many  things),  and  totally  change  the  climate, 
it  would  be  preferable  to  all  other  places.’ 

From  this  faint  praise  of  home,  Mann  gets  back  to 
the  noblest  house  in  Florence,  and  to  the  Prince  Craon, 
who,  having  recovered  from  his  itch,  celebrated  the 
event  by  a grand  dinner  : — ‘ ’Twas  a dinner  at  which 
the  Princess  did  not  appear,  but  at  the  window  of  the 
gallery  which  looks,  you  know,  into  the  room  where 
we  dined.  We  were  25  at  table.  The  Prince  and  I 
sat  at  the  two  ends  of  the  table  ; but  not  to  be  less 
loving  than  if  we  had  been  near,  we  sent  messages  to 
each  other  continually.  Among  others,  one  was  to 
drink  your  health,  to  me ; which  I returned  by  the 
same  Page,  by  drinking  his  child’s  health,  to  him  ; 
— Prince  Beauvau’s.  The  only  difficulty  I was  put 
to  on  this  occasion,  where  healths  must  not  be  drunk 
in  water,  was  about  wine,  as  I have  totally  left  it  off, 
since  the  beginning  of  my  illness,  but  a thimble-full 


1741. 


AT  THE  THEATRE. 


31 


does  to  colour  the  water,  and  one  glass  does  for  the 
whole  table.  At  night,  there  was  no  invitation  of 
ladies,  but  it  was  given  out  that  “ tutte  sarebbero 
gradite.”  . . . Madame  Griff oni  is  vastly  well  and 
continues  handsome.  Her  sister  grows  monstrously 
fat,  else  would  be  handsome  too.  The  good  little 
Albizi  has  been  ill  of  a fever,  but  is  much  better.  She 
is  deprived  for  a time  of  her  little  hero,  who  is  become 
a Colonel  of  one  of  the  two  regiments  to  be  raised  out 
of  the  Militia,  which  he  is  about  to  form.  Capponi, 
you  know,  has  the  other.  They  are  always  called 
Signori  Colonelli.’ 

‘We  had  a strange  uproar  last  Wednesday,  at  the 
Burletta  ; an  affair  of  party.  I never  saw  anything 
like  it  before,  but  have  heard  of  it  happening  in 
England.  Albergotti  was  the  hero  ; he  had  made  his 
addresses  to  the  Romana,  but  being  ill  received,  he 
would  not  permit  the  applause  the  Pit  gave  her ; 
superior  greatly  to  that  which  was  given  to  the  Cecca, 
whom  really  every  body  did  applaud  till  it  was  known 
Albera;otti  was  offended  with  the  notice  that  was 
taken  of  the  Romana.  Piques  of  this  kind  went  on 
for  many  nights,  but  were  always  kept  within  the 
bounds  of  gentle  hissing  (which  may  be  taken,  as 
’tis  often  meant  in  Italy,  for  a call  of  silence,  or  of 
attention)  and  violent  clapping ; but  on  the  fatal 
Wednesday  night,  just  when  the  Romana  was  at  the 
height  of  her  favourite  song,  which  could  hardly 
be  heard  for  the  clapping,  she  was  silenced  by  a 
most  dreadful  concert  of  cat-calls,  performed  by  the 
Lorraine  officers,  and  their  servants.  You  cannot  con- 
ceive the  damp  that  was  struck  all  over  the  theater. 


32 


OPERATIC  RIOT. 


1741. 


The  ladies  were  all  offended,  and  afraid  to  go  home, 
it  having  been  discovered  that  the  Cat-callers  were 

O 

all  armed.  Albergotti  was  not  one  of  them,  though 
publickly  known  to  be  the  promoter  of  it.  One  of  the 
officers  called  to  him  from  the  Pit,  and  said,  “ Marquis, 
c’est  pour  vous  venger  ! ” In  that  the  Impresario  was 
affronted,  so  was  his  theater.  The  affair  was  carried 
the  next  morning  before  the  Council,  as  what  might 
have  “des  suites  facheuses  to  prevent  which  it  was 
thought  proper  to  order  Albergotti  to  repair  to  Arezzo, 
his  native  country,  there  to  receive  the  orders  that 
were  to  be  sent  to  the  Governor.  He  departed  yester- 
day. The  town  in  the  mean  time  was  deprived  of 
an  opera  on  the  next  opera-night ! ’ 

November  26th. — ‘You  know  Yanneschi,  Lord  Mid- 
dlesex’s favourite  poet.  He  wrote  an  opera,  formerly,  in 
which  there  was  an  air  that  began  : “ Leon  che  scherza  e 
ride.”  I don’t  remember  the  rest.  Condeli  was  struck 
with  the  idea,  and  made  the  following  imi  ation  off- 
hand, soon  after  there  had  been  an  earthquake  in 
Florence : — 

“II  vezzoso  Terremoto 
Ingollava  la  Citta, 

Ed  il  Fulminar  giulivo 
Non  lasciare  un  uomo  vivo 
Scherzaggiando  in  qua  e in  la  — - 

I am  sure  you  like  it,  for  its  oddness. 

December  1 7th. — ‘ Nothing  is  spoke  of  but  Gavi 
(a  fraudulent  banker)  and  his  accomplices.  He  is  in 
a church,  and  what  is  more  strange,  the  Priests  think 
him  too  great  a villain  to  harbour  him,  so  that  he  is 


1741. 


A FRAUDULENT  BANKER. 


DO 


DO 


drove  from  one  convent  to  another.  The  secret  is,  that 
as  soon  as  they  can  fix  him,  they  mean  to  take  him 
bv  force.  I pity  his  poor  wife.  She  is  with  child,  and 
constantly  attended,  night  and  day  by  the  Sbirri  in 
her  room.  She  sent  a complaint  the  other  day,  that 
the  Sbirri  “ non  la  lasciavano  vestire  con  pace,  e chc 
consumavano  tutte  le  Bracie ; die  per  l’amor  di  Dio 
dessero  a dire  che  non  tocasseno  le  Bracie.”  The 
great  concern  for  her  small  coal  made  them  suspect  a 
rat.  Upon  examination,  they  found  GO 00  crowns 
under  them.  In  different  holes  and  corners,  they  found 
18,000  crowns,  but  all  in  silver ; from  which  ’tis 
thought  he  found  means  to  carry  off  his  gold.’ 

December  1 9th, — -£  I had  like  to  have  forgot  to  tell 
you,  that  about  3 weeks  ago,  6 medals  were  sent 
from  England  to  Rome,  vastly  satirical.  Sir  Robert 
Walpole,  with  a cord  round  his  neck,  led  by  the  Devil. 
On  the  other  side,  Sir  Robert  leads  the  King  by  the 
nose.  The  person  writes  me  word  he  has  seen  them, 
and  has  promised,  if  possible,  to  get  me  one.  There 
are  mottoes,  but  he  did  not  say  what.’ 

As  Mr.  Mann  was  stationed  at  Florence  partly  to 
watch  over,  partly  to  receive  reports  of  the  sayings 
and  doings  of  the  Pretender  and  his  family  in  Italy, 
the  Minister’s  letters  occasionally  contain  references  to 
this  subject.  On  the  22nd  August,  1741,  we  have  the 
first  notice  of  the  movements  of  the  Stuart  Princes. 

‘ I have  been  writing,’  says  Mann  to  Walpole,  £ since  8 
hours  of  the  morning,  and  now  it  is  5 hours  at  night. 
I was  alarmed  in  the  middle  of  the  night,  by  an  express 
from  Rome,  to  acquaint  me,  the  Eldest  boy  was  going 
off  at  night,  in  company  with  Murray  and  one  servant, 

YOT,.  T.  D 


84 


JACOBITE  MO  VEMENT. 


1741 


(Walpole  has  here  written,  over  the  word  ‘ Murray  ’ — 
‘ Lord  Dunbar/  who  did  not  go  with  him  at  all.)  ‘ It 
was  in  so  private  a manner  that  nobody  knew  it.  My 
Abbe  got  notice  of  it  two  days  after.  I am  horribly 
uneasy  lest  I should  be  deceived ; and  how  is  it 
possible  to  know  the  truth  ? The  circumstances  are 
very  particular.  They  went  in  a borrowed  chaise,  3 
posts  from  Rome  ; then  they  took  post  by  Fuligno, 
Fossombrone,  so  to  Brescia,  by  the  Grisons,  into 
France.  Cardinal  Tencin  presented  to  the  Boy,  on  the 
14th,  in  the  name  of  his  Master,  a set  of  Plate  da 
Campagna.  They  say  it  was  fine  wrought  and  gilt. 
He  gave  him  at  the  same  time  a letter,  by  which  the 
French  King  declares  him  (but  I cannot  believe  it, 
though  the  whole  town  is  full  of  it)  Commander  in 
Chief  of  all  his  troops  by  sea  and  land.  The  expressions 
are  so  odd,  the  command  so  great,  and  the  thing  so 
extraordinary,  that  I can’t  tell  what  to  make  of  it. 
In  some  of  the  letters  about  the  town  there  is  added  to 
the  above,  “ In  case  of  a war  with  England.”  ’ 

On  the  27th  August,  1741,  Mann  writes,  ‘ It  is  a 
very  hard  matter  to  say  what  is,  what  is  not ; espe- 
cially when  folks  make  it  their  business  to  puzzle  on 
this  fact.  I have  represented  the  thing  to  them  at  55 
(Hanover).  I am  almost  wild,  there  is  such  a strange 
noise  about  my  ears,  I can  hardly  write.  One  tells 
me  one  thing ; another  tells  me  the  contrary.  Some 
affirm,  with  all  the  particulars,  2’s’  (Prince  Charles 
Edward’s)  ‘journey  into  France,  just  indeed  as  I had 
heard  it  a week  ago.  If  I was  present  at  the  Petraja 
I could  judge  better  of  it ; but  as  I cannot  go  there,  I 
must  say  what  Viviani  and  others  tell  me.’ 


1741. 


INTRIGUES. 


Mann’s  despatches  were  sent,  not  direct  to  Eng- 
land, but  round  by  Hanover,  where  he  expected 
George  II.  might  then  be.  In  a letter  of  September 
24th,  he  names  one  ‘Jackson  of  Leghorn,  who  by 
being  concerned  in  commerce,  has  been  and  is  very 
attentive  to  what  is  going  forward.’  Subsequently  he 
adds  : ‘ It  is  certain  they  flatter  themselves  that  the 
Marriage  ’ (Union  of  England  and  Scotland)  ‘ may  be 
broke  off;  202’s’  (Mann’s)  ‘friend  at  77  ’ (Lome)  ‘says 
that  two  of  Miss  North  and  Grey’s  tenants  ’ (Scotsmen) 
‘ have  been  there  to  confer  with  1 1 ’ (the  old  Chevalier) 
‘ about  the  Settlements,  and  that  their  setting  out  was 
what  deceived  him.’  ‘ In  France,’  Mann  writes,  October 
8th,  ‘the  King  of  England  is  spoken  of  with  very  little 
attention,  and  is  constantly  called  Monsieur  Hanover. 
202  ’ (Mann)  ‘ does  not  believe  this  and  infinite  other 
impertinencies,  which  are  unreal,  but  I saw  him  in  a 
great  passion  on  hearing  a letter  read  from  France, 
which  contained  them  ! ’ 

And  so  ends  the  chronicle  of  the  first  year. 


36 


WARLIKE  MOVEMENTS. 


1742. 


CHAPTER  II. 

1742. 

At  this  period  England  was  ‘meddling  and  muddling’ 
in  Continental  politics.  The  interests  of  Great  Britain 
were  being  made  subservient  to  those  of  the  Electorate 
of  Hanover.  We  were  supporting  the  cause  of  Maria 
Theresa,  the  Queen  of  Hungary,  against  France, 
Spain,  and  Bavaria.  Fleets,  armies,  and  subsidies 
were  lavished  for  a foolish  object,  and  for  ungrateful 
personages.  Tuscany  was  threatened  with  a Spanish 
invasion. 

January  17th. — ‘ The  Great  Duke  has  not  sufficient 
force  to  make  any  resistance  in  case  of  need.  H.  M. 
sends  a fleet  perhaps,  but  on  a supposition,  no  doubt, 
that  Leghorn  could  make  some  defence  itself,  which 
at  present  is  not  the  case.  Five  thousand  good  troops 
would  not  be  enough  ; but  these  are  as  bad  as  can 
be,  and  the  greatest  part  Tuscans,  poor  country 
fellows  indeed  ; but  you  know  the  whole  country  is 
inclined  to  the  Spaniards.  An  opinion  has  prevailed 
since  my  going  to  Leghorn,  that  England  had  pur- 
chased that  town  of  the  Great  Duke,  for  money  ! It 
is  not  the  first  time  it  has  been  talked  of,  and  by  all 


1742. 


ADMIRAL  HADDOCK. 


thinking  people  greatly  wished  to  he  true.  Sure,  the 
advantages  of  having  it  must  he  great.  Now  if  ever 
is  the  time  to  bring  it  about.  We  might  part  with 
something  we  have  in  the  Mediterranean,  at  least  Port 
Mahon,  not  of  half  so  much  use  as  this  would  he. 
Leghorn  would  be  what  we  must  always  have — a port 
in  these  seas,  and  would  be  at  the  same  time  a con- 
siderable trading  town.  Will  you  mention  this  by 
way  of  discourse ; the  time  more  than  ever  makes  it 
proper.5 

‘ . . . Mr.  Haddock  is  at  Port  Mahon.  On  his 
passage  thither  he  saw  the  Spanish  squadron,  and 
was  preparing  to  engage  it,  but  soon  discovered  the 
Toulon  squadron,  when  the  Spaniards  bore  down 
towards  the  French.  Mr.  Haddock  called  a Council, 
in  which  it  was  not  judged  proper  to  attack  them,  as 
they  were  joined  with  the  French.  This  is  the  ac- 
count of  the  Captain  of  The  Garland,  man-of-war, 
who  lately  arrived  at  Genoa.  At  this  rate,  if  their 
united  fleets  are  to  convey  the  second  embarkation, 
Mr.  Haddock,  without  a reinforcement,  is  not  strong 
enough  to  prevent  its  taking  place.5 

January  12th. — ‘ The  poor  Prince  de  Craon  is  ex- 
tremely disgusted  ; no  visits  have  passed,  and  I believe 
both  he  and  she  are  determined  to  retire,  if  things 
don’t  mend.  De  Sade  came  into  my  box,  the  other 
night,  “ Helas  ! 55  said  he,  “ le  pauvre  Prince  de  Craon 
est  au  desespoir.55  “He  would  not  appear  at  Council!” 
says  I.  “ Non  ! 55  dit  il,  “ il  a raison.  ‘ Tenez,5  je  lui  ai 
dit,  ‘ mon  Prince  ! si  vous  etes  delicat,  il  faut  vous 
retirer.  Si  vous  ne  l’etes  pas,  tirez  votre  pension  sans 
rien  faire.  5 55  Is  not  this  quite  like  De  Sade  ? 


38 


AT  TTIE  OPERA. 


1742. 


‘ Lady  Walpole  is  returned.  She  drove  directly  to 
the  old  palace,  the  habitation  of  the  Count.  She  wants 
satisfaction  for  the  affronts  she  received.  . . . Poor 
Mr.  St.  John,  the  madman  in  religion,  though  in  no- 
thing else  so,  wanted  to  make  me  a present  of  some  pier 
glasses,  for  saving  his  fine  and  numerous  library,  which 
I refused.  He  still  pressed  it,  but  I was  obstinate. 

“ Lord  ! ” says  I to  Mr.  Chute,  “ what  can  I say  more 
to  the  man?”  “Why,  very  true,”  says  he,  “he  cannot 
even  pretend  that  his  present  will  not  cast  a reflection 
upon  you.”  I have  no  heart  to  speak  to  you  about 
our  operas,  they  are  so  very  bad.  One  goes  there 
notwithstanding.  The  Bagnolese  cariccita  to  a degree. 
She  really  squeezes  out  her  words  so,  that  it  puts 
one  in  mind  of  something  else.  Tedeschino  is  very 
middling,  a humble  imitator  of  Salembeni.  The 
Tenore  is  very  good,  but  an  extreme  mean  figure.  The 
rest  arc  not  worth  naming.  Poor  Giuseppe  Ridolfi  will 
pay  dear  for  the  honour  of  being  Impresario.  For,  to 
make  it  worse,  they  have  contrived  in  this,  as  in  other 
trifles,  to  disoblige  the  whole  town  by  refusing  a per- 
mission for  masks,  so  that  the  theater  is  always  empty. 
That  of  the  Via  del  Cocomero  is  most  frequented. 
“Dido”  was  the  first  opera,  and  pleased.  Fini  com- 
posed the  second ; the  vilest  musick  that  ever  was 
heard.  The  audience  at  the  end  cried  out,  “Eh  bene  ! 
cli  bene  ! ma  Diclone ! Diclone ! ” which  they  say  it 
is  to  be,  much  to  the  mortification  of  Signor  Fini, 
who  swears  there  is  not  even  an  “ ombra  di  sapere  o 
cli  gusta,”  left  in  Florence.’ 

‘ On  Tuesday  last,  at  the  time  everybody  was  at 
the  opera,  there  was  a severe  shock  of  an  Earthquake 


1742. 


OLIVER  8T.  JOHN. 


39 


at  Leghorn,  which  frightened  them  all  out  of  their 
wits.  There  were  afterwards  severe  repetitions. 
Braitwitz  slept  in  his  carriage,  in  the  place.  The 
public  diversions  were  suspended  as  inconsistent  with 
prayer,  to  which  everybody  was  ordered  to  betake 
themselves.’ 

January  28  th. — ‘ I told  you  of  Mr.  St.  John  and 
his  Glasses.  Many  letters  passed,  and  all  I could  say 
was  not  sufficient  to  convince  him,  I would  not  have 
them ; by  this  at  last  he  understood  I wanted  some- 
thing else  in  lieu  of  them ; and  what  do  you  think 
he  did?  Why  he  sent  me  100  Zecchini,  as  the  full 
value  of  them,  which  he  said  I ought  not  to  refuse 
accepting,  for  if  that  was  wrong  the  offering  it  was 
so  too,  and  that  he  was  incapable  of  committing  an 
error  ; that  in  Equity  and  Justice  a valuable  con- 
sideration was  due  to  me  for  the  services  I had  done 
him  ; that  no  man,  of  whatever  rank,  need  have  felt 
the  least  shame  of  either  proposing  or  accepting  it ; 
that  it  need  not  be  made  a necessary  clause  in  every 
deed  of  conveyance,  or  lease,  and  concludes  his  letter 
with  (what,  tho’  I was  devilishly  angry,  made  me 
laugh  extremely)  “ a small  sample  of  his  poetry,” — he 
calls  it : — 

” Let  him  who  would  be  happy,  strive 
To  be  the  simplest  man  alive, 

And  he  may  be  the  simplest  man  but  one; 

And  that  man  I am,  Oliver  St.  John.” 

Did  you  ever  hear  anything  like  this  poor  simple 
man?  ...  I wrote  him  a most  thundering  answer 
when  I returned  his  hundred  Zecchini,  to  which  he 


40 


EARTHQUAKE. 


1742. 


wrote  a reply,  two  days  after,  by  telling  me  that  lie 
had  deposited  the  same  sum  in  his  Advocate’s  hands, 
which  I would  please  to  demand  when  my  scruples 
were  not  insuperable ; that  he  meant  me  no  affront, 
but  a genteel  present,  but  that  if  I persisted  in 
thinking  it  so,  “ I might  take  my  Remedy  ! ” 

‘ This  poor  man  has  got  a scheme  in  his  crazy 
head  to  convert  all  the  Jews  in  Leghorn,  for  which 
purpose  he  struck  up  a correspondence  with  Mr. 
Porter,  the  parson  there,  a poor  creature.  St.  John 
wrote  him  the  strangest  long  letter  about  it,  and  made 
him  the  greatest  offers  of  houses,  money,  settlements 
for  life,  etc.,  and  at  last  sent  him  a Poem  of  80 
Stanzas,  of  6 lines  each,  the  title  of  which  was, 
“ Great  News  to  the  Listening  Jews,” — to  the  tune 
and  metre  of  “ Old  Sir  Simon  the  King ; ” and  yet, 
except  on  this  religious  key,  the  poor  man  is  vastly 
sensible,  and  was  always  known  to  have  a great  deal 
of  learning.’ 

‘ The  Earthquake  at  Leghorn  has  been  very  severe. 
They  had  in  all  sixteen  shocks.  We  felt  nothing  of 
them  here.’ 

c Jesus ! I little  expected  to  be  obliged  to  take  up 
this  letter  again  to  add  so  horrid  a postscript.  A few 
hours  ago,  an  Estafette  arrived  from  Leghorn  with  a 
very  short  and  confused  account  of  a vile  shock  of  an 
Earthquake  that  happened  yesterday,  at  about  19 
hours.  All  the  houses,  they  say,  have  suffered  ex- 
tremely, particularly  the  Jews’  quarter.  Part  of  a 
church  fell  in,  and  some  people  have  been  killed.  All 
the  inhabitants  fled  out  of  the  town,  and  everything 
was  in  horrid  confusion.  Braitwitz  has  asked  for 


1742. 


EARTHQUAKE. 


41 


tents,  etc.,  to  lodge  his  troops  ; as  their  Quarters  are 
so  much  damaged  it  makes  it  unsafe  to  live  in  them. 
Abbe  Tornaquenei,  to  whom  I have  just  sent  to  ask 
some  account  of  this  accident,  knows  no  more  than 
what  I have  mentioned,  but  has  promised  me  a par- 
ticular account  as  soon  as  he  receives  it.  They  have 
despatched  a Courier,  an  hour  ago,  to  Leghorn.  I am 
going  to  write  a letter  to  Mrs.  Gold  worthy,  to  invite 
her  to  Florence.  Common  humanity  engages  me  to 
press  her  to  come  from  that  horrid  place,  and  to  forget 
everything  they  have  said  and  done  against  me.  I 
suppose  my  letter  will  find  them  on  board  some  ship 
in  the  Mole,  as  nobody  lives  in  their  houses.’ 

On  the  3rd  February,  Mann  continues  the  theme 
of  the  Earthquake.  ‘ The  damage  that  has  been  done 
must  be  very  considerable,  though  it  is  yet  not  distinctly 
known,  as  people  are  too  much  terrified  to  examine 
narrowly  into  the  buildings,  most  of  which  are  for  the 
present  totally  abandoned,  from  the  dread  of  another 
shock  which,  if  equal  to  the  former,  would,  it  is 
believed,  lay  the  whole  town  in  ruins.  The  inhabi- 
tants, from  upwards  of  40  (thousand)  are  reduced  to  4 
or  5 (thousand).  Many  whole  families  fled  to  Pisa, 
Lucca,  etc.,  in  the  dresses  they  escaped  with  out  of 
their  houses,  not  daring  to  return  for  money  or 
common  necessaries.  All  the  English  in  general  took 
refuge  on  board  the  ships  in  the  Mole,  where  they 
still  remain,  and  have  conveyed  thither  their  books 
and  cash.  Those  that  were  obliged,  either  by  their 
employments  or  for  want  of  means  to  escape,  remained 
in  the  town,  spent  both  days  and  nights  in  the 
Square, — some  in  coaches,  others  in  chairs,  till  tents 


42 


CONDITION  OF  LEGHORN. 


1742. 


could  be  pitched,  in  which  Braitwitz  and  all  his 
officers  etc.,  now  live.’ 

‘ The  Madonna  di  Monte  Nero,  who  is  to  Leghorn 
what  the  Lady  of  the  (illegible)  is  to  Florence,  was, 
by  Braitwitz’s  order,  brought  into  the  town  and 
placed  in  the  Square,  about  which  are  erected  many 
Altars  for  the  publick  devotion,  as  nobody  will  run  the 
risk  of  being  crushed  in  the  churches,  as  one  or  two 
poor  people  were  by  the  fall  of  the  roof  of  that 
mentioned  in  the  enclosed  paper.  Those  who  fled  from 
there  knew  nothing  of  what  they  left  behind  them,  and 
those  that  are  there  are  still  too  much  frightened  to 
give  any  rational  account  by  letter.  Besides  the  hurt 
done  to  all  the  houses,  it  is  greatly  to  be  feared  that 
the  publick  and  private  cisterns  were  spoilt,  by  which 
alone,  except  one  little  spouting  fountain,  the  whole 
town  is  supplied  with  water.  If  so,  the  expense  of 
repairing  them  will  be  immense;  and,  at  this  juncture, 
if  the  Spaniards  should  besiege  the  town,  for  want  of 
water  only,  it  would  be  obliged  to  surrender.  Leghorn 
has  received  a blow,  of  which  it  will  not  recover  for 
a very  considerable  time. 

£ A Council  of  Regency  was  assembled  on  Wednes- 
day night,  to  consider  of  the  proper  order  and  steps 
that  were  to  be  taken  for  the  relief  of  it.  You  will 
hardly  believe  that  it  was  by  mere  accident  this  was 
thought  of  at  all.  Well,  but  better  late  than  never  ! 
Orders  were  sent  by  an  Estafette  last  Thursday  to 
oblige  the  Bakers  to  bake,  which  they  had  omitted,  as 
the  Butchers  had  to  kill  meat.  In  short,  nobody 
thought  of  any  other  means  to  secure  life  but  by 
running  from  the  Earthquake  ; so  that  as  none  of  the 


1742. 


EARTHQUAKE. 


43 


people  about  carried  provisions  into  the  town  as  usual, 
the  inhabitants  suffered  extremely.  Six  hundred  loafs 
of  bread  are  ordered  daily  to  be  distributed  to  the 
needy.  Patrols  are  in  the  streets  night  and  day, 
to  prevent  the  houses  that  are  abandoned  being 
plundered.  The  Great  Dukes  iron  works  to  furnish 
iron  to  all  that  want  it,  upon  credit.  The  Monte  di 
Pieta  to  furnish  money  to  those  who  have  none,  for 
the  immediate  repair  of  their  houses.  But  lo  ! the 
great  iron  works  have  no  iron,  nor  the  Pieta  any 
money.  ’ 

‘ We  have  had  three  days  of  devotion  for  the  sake 
of  the  Livornesi,  though  surely  never  was  there  so 
little  inclination  to  pray.  ’Twas  quite  ridiculous,  the 
last  night  of  the  Opera,  to  see  the  contrast  between 
the  pleasure  of  masking  and  the  devotion  they  were 
entering  upon.  They  did  not  dare  publickly  to  say 
anything  against  it,  for  fear  it  should  be  a sin,  but 
many  of  the  ladies  wished  it  had  been  deferred  till 
Lent. 

‘ Col.  Capponi  has  been  at  Leghorn  during  the  six- 
teen shocks,  and  came  frightened  out  of  his  senses. 
. . . His  old  unckle  at  Leghorn  would  never  stir  out 
of  his  house,  though  he  was  quite  alone  in  it,  and 
would  by  this  means,  have  encouraged  the  people,  had 
not  Braitwitz’s  example  on  the  contrary  been  more 
prevalent.  The  terror  people  were  seized  with  has 
occasioned  the  utmost  desolation.  Ferdinand  the 
Second  went  with  his  whole  court  to  Leghorn,  on 
a like  occasion,  to  encourage,  by  his  presence,  the 
inhabitants  to  stay  in  the  town,  by  which  he  pre- 
vented the  ill  consequences  of  their  pa-nick  fear.’ 


44 


NEWS  FROM  HOME. 


1742. 


February  24 th. — - I am  to  have  Mrs.  Goldworthy, 
with  her  children  and  maids,  etc.,  the  day  after  to- 
morrow. Poor  creatures  ! I really  pity  them.  They 
come  directly  from  on  board  to  Florence,  as  his  house, 
like  all  those  that  were  comer  houses,  has  suffered 
most  and  been  rendered  uninhabitable.  I foresee  it 
must  be  vastly  troublesome,  but  in  certain  cases  one 
cannot  avoid  these  things.  I shall  retire  into  the  two 
rooms  t’other  side  of  the  hall,  and  leave  the  rest  of 
the  house  to  them.’ 

Walpole  addressed  a letter  to  Mann,  dated  9 th 
February,  1742,  in  which  he  gave  an  account  of  the 
intrigues  of  the  Prince  of  Wales,  ‘ who  it  must  seem 
proposes  to  be  King  ; ’ of  the  plot  to  impeacli  Sir 
Robert ; of  the  triumph  of  the  latter  when  George  the 
Second  raised  him  to  the  peerage  as  Earl  of  Orford, 
and  conferred  on  his  natural  daughter,  Mary  Skerret, 
the  rank  she  would  have  enjoyed  had  she  been  legiti- 
mate ; and  of  the  general  confusion  that  existed  at  a, 
time  when  men  ought  to  be  most  united.  To  this 
letter  Mann  replied  on  March  18th,  the  day  after  he 
had  received  Horace  Walpole’s  letter,  which  was  written 
nearly  six  weeks  earlier  : — 

f The  first  part  of  your  letter  of  the  9 th  February 
terrifies  me  a great  deal  ...  I try  to  flatter  myself 
that  all  will  still  go  well.  It  is  infinitely  kind  of  you 
to  write  me  the  true  state  of  things.  Such  malignant 
whispers  are  set  about  by  some  others  here  that  I 
should  be  distracted,  if  I did  not  know  by  your  letters, 
how  far  to  credit  them  . . . The  Pretender’s  party  is  in 
high  spirits  about  all  this,  and  flatter  themselves  that 
it  will  turn  out  well  for  them.  Surely  304’  (the 


1742. 


TROUBLES  AND  AMUSEMENTS. 


45 


Prince  of  Wales)  ‘ does  not  think  seriously  of  what  he 
is  doing.  He  may  he  the  first  to  repent  when  it  will 
he  too  late  to  quench  the  flame  he  is  blowing  up.  . . . 
The  King  is  greatly  to  he  pitied.  I own  to  you  I feel 
for  him  now  what  I never  did  before  . . . Lady  Walpole 
has  told  Mrs.  Goldworthy  that  she  knows  for  certain, 
Mr.  Haddock  (the  Admiral)  is  recalled.  This  part  of 
the  world  is  in  great  expectation  of  great  deeds,  on 
which  account  it  is  reported  that  17,000  Spaniards  are 
to  march  from  Barcelona,  instead  of  coming  up  by  sea. 

. . . Don  Phillip  departed  the  22nd  February  and  is  to 
be  at  Aix  the  5th  of  next  month;  thence  to  Antibes,  and 
so  to  be  escorted  by  the  French,  Spanish,  and  Neapoli- 
tan Gallies,  but  where  he  is  to  land  is  not  known  here.’ 
In  this  month  Masquerades  and  Earthquakes  are 
still  the  theme  ; £ Here  am  I,  at  four  hours  in  the 
night,  the  last  of  Carnival,  ever  since  fifteen  in  the 
morning,  writing.  All  the  world  has  been  in  mask 
the  whole  day,  and  will  be  again,  after  cramming  as 
much  gras  as  will  make  them  sick  with  their  ceneri 
for  three  days.  You  know  how  this  is.  There  is  a 
ball  after  midnight ; we  were  there  together  last  year, 
would  it  were  the  same  this  ? . , . I did  not  expect 
Mrs.  Goldworthy  till  to-morrow  ; but  behold  she  came 
in  at  23,  with  three  children,  two  maids,  and  a man. 
I was  forced  to  leave  her  with  Mr.  Chute  and  Whit- 
hed.  Poor  creature  ! she  has  been  frightened  terribly, 
and  gives  a.  most  lamentable  account  of  the  situation 
of  Leghorn ; and  yet  she  will  be  devilishly  trouble- 
some. The  Princess  said  : “ Comment  vous  aurez  done 
des  enfants  sans  en  etre  le  pere  ! ” Antinori  puts  these 
gross  ideas  into  her  head.’ 


46 


MANN’S  ILLNESS. 


1742. 


For  some  time  Mann  was  the  victim  of  a serious 
and  painful  complaint,  requiring  a serious  and  painful 
operation.  His  letters  are  full  of  details  of  the  most 
unreserved  nature,  as  if  he  were  proud  of  his  afflictions, 
and  as  if  his  friends  must,  with  sympathy  for  the 
sufferer,  be  gratified  by  being  taken  into  the  utmost 
confidence  with  regard  to  the  progress  and  cure  of  the 
malady.  He  wrote  in  bed,  in  all  sorts  of  positions, 
the  reasons  for  which  are  liberally  supplied.  ‘ On  the 
9th  day  of  my  laying  in/  as  he  calls  it,  he  wakes  up 
to  render  an  account  of  the  new  scenes  which  had 
opened  in  Florence — through  the  shifts  and  changes  of 
the  war.  One  of  the  strangest  incidents  of  that  con- 
test between  the  Queen  of  Hungary  and  her  adversa- 
ries was  that  her  husband,  the  Grand  Duke  of  Tuscany, 
gave  leave  to  a Spanish  army,  hostile  to  Maria  Theresa, 
to  have  passage  through  his  Duchy.  Accordingly,  on 
March  11,  1742,  Mann  called  for  his  writing  materials, 
and  as  he  lay  in  bed,  now  on  one  side,  now  on  another, 
sometimes  on  his  back,  at  others  on  his  face,  he  sent 
the  following  account  to  his  c dear  child.’ 

‘ The  Spaniards  are  marching  under  the  walls  of 
Florence,  this  morning  1 The  fourth  column  went  by. 
In  all  they  have  been  more  than  10,000  men — but 
great  numbers  desert.  The  General  (M.  Castelar) 
demanded  some  whom  he  supposed  had  been  debauched 
by  the  Great  Duke’s  officers ; and  bid  the  Spanish 
agent  acquaint  the  Regency  that  if  they  were  not 
given  up,  he  would  leave  a sufficient  body  of  troops 
at  all  the  avenues  of  Florence,  to  prevent  the  like  in- 
conveniences. An  officer  was  sent  to  him  to  treat  the 
matter,  but  I hear  nothing  has  been  concluded.  Caste- 


1742. 


THE  SPANIARDS  IN  TUSCANY. 


47 


lar  was  asked  by  an  Orso’  (one  of  the  faction  that 
supported  Don  Philip)  ‘ why  they  did  not  stay ; that 
they  had  deceived  their  well-wishers,  etc.  He  replied 
that  they  were  to  go  into  Lombardy  now,  but  that 
Tuscany  would  afterwards  be  an  affair  of  three  days. 
I believe  some  of  the  Regency  are  firmly  persuaded 
it  will  be  so.  At  a time  that  it  was  only  known 
at  Vienna  that  the  Spaniards  were  to  pass  within 
two  miles  of  the  town,  as  was  first  stipulated,  an  order 
came  to  plant  the  cannon  of  the  fortresses  against  the 
town,  and  charged ; and  in  case  of  an  insurrection,  to 
fire.  They  were  accordingly  prepared  in  the  sight  of 
the  whole  people,  who  were  astonished  to  see  such 
preparations  against  them.  You  have  heard,  to  be 
sure,  of  the  alliance  between  the  Queen  of  Hungary 
and  King  of  Sardinia,  for  the  mutual  defence  of  each 
other’s  states.  The  King  of  Sardinia  reserves  to 
himself  a power  to  make  good  his  pretensions  to  this 
part  of  the  Queen’s  dominions  in  Italy  ! He  is  to  fur- 
nish her  with  a considerable  body  of  troops  that  had 
already  begun  their  march  in  order  to  unite  themselves 
with  those  under  the  command  of  Prince  cle  Traun, 
who  it  is  thought  would  march  into  the  Pope’s  States, 
towards  Bologna,  to  attack  M.  de  Montemar.  A little 
time  then  must  decide  our  fate.  . . 

‘ . . . Adieu,  my  dearest  child,  I am  tired  of  the 
awkward  posture  in  which  I write  in  bed  ; on  which 
account  you  must  excuse  many  blots  and  errors.  The 
Countess  Galli  is  the  only  woman  I have  admitted 
yet ; and  she  has  a right  to  come  when  she  pleases  ; 
as  at  my  request,  she  serves  Mrs.  Goldworthy,  and  is 
often  in  the  house.  I hear  nothing  of  the  poor  simple 


48 


DOMESTIC  SCENES. 


1742. 


things  going  away.  She  is  such  a fool ! and  chatters 
and  talks  so  much,  and  so  literally  translates  all  her 
little  conceits  and  ideas  into  horrid  French  or  Italian  ! 
Mr.  Chute  says  she  talks  from  hand  to  mouth.  T’other 
day  she  told  a company  of  ladies  that  il  suo  Marito 
era  gravido  to  do  I don’t  know  what.  They  stared, 
but  did  not  understand  how  he  was  to  be  eased. 
Then  she’s  a notable,  and  teaches  her  poor  children 
all  kinds  of  things  wrong. — ‘ Indeed,  you  shan’t  have 
any  pudding,  Charles,  unless  you  spell  it  ! How  do 
you  spell  pudding?  P-u-d  pud,  d-i-n-g,  pudding ; and 
so  the  poor  child  repeats  it  after  her.  She  tires  them 
to  death  with  religion  and  the  prayers  of  the  day,  and 
in  order  to  bring  things  down  to  their  capacities,  she 
told  them  why,  for  example,  if  Jesus  Christ  was  here 
and  would  touch  your  sister  she  would  be  well,  and 
cut  her  teeth  ; so  the  poor  brats  walk  about  the  house 
all  day  long  wishing  for  Jesus  Christ  to  be  in  the 
room. 

£ I send  the  new  Emperor’s  letter  ’ (Charles  VII. 
Elector  of  Bavaria.  His  election  was  supported  by  the 
French,  and  it  caused  a general  war)  £ to  the  Pope.  It 
is  looked  upon  as — low.  Ho  but  consider  the  affecta- 

tion of  attributing  his  election,  in  a great  measure  to 
the  Pope ! There  are  a thousand  Pasquinades  at 
Rome  ; but  bad.  The  best  of  them  I think  is  that  on 
the  stile  of  the  forum  (sic)  the  Emperor  is  cited  to 
fix  his  habitation.  There  was  a man  dressed  in  a 
most  ragged  cloak,  with  these  words  on  his  back, — 
A tutti  v'e  rimedio,  fuorite  al  Bavaro ! ’ — an  Italian 
pun,  you  know  Bavaro  signifies  the  great  cape  of  a 
cloak  ; or,  I believe,  at  Rome,  a cloak  itself ; which 


1742. 


MllS.  G0LDW0BT1IY. 


49 


makes  it  better.  Tencin  raves  and  storms  at  all 
these  liberties.  The  Pretender  has  shown  great 
rejoicings  at  this  Election. 

‘We  are  now  entered  into  the  Quaresima  (Lent) 
and  are  to  have  the  Concert  as  last  year,  though  not 
in  Palazzo  Strozzi ; ’twill  be  the  only  diversion  for 
Mrs.  Goldworthy,  with  whom  I shall  be  most  extremely 
embarrassed.  She  is  such  a horrid  fool,  such  a little 
unconnected  thing,  and  so  fiddle-faddle  ! oh,  it  has 
been  a terrible  earthquake  for  me  ! The  Ladies  begin 
to  visit  her.  I was  in  her  apartment  with  the  Countess 
del  Benniro  and  the  little  Albizzi,  but  was  forced  to 
fly  on  hearing  the  name  of  the  Princess  (who  is  now 
with  her)  and  many  more.  Her’s  was  a return  of  a 
visit,  as  you  may  imagine.  There’s  the  Griffoni  too, 
but  I can’t  go  in  as  I am  undressed.  Lady  Walpole 
was  here  this  morning,  for  the  first  time  she  ever  set 
her  foot  in  this  house.  She  talks  of  nothing  but 
Venice,  and  goes  about  dressed  a la  Veniziana.  I am 
no  favourite  still.  She  was  angry,  I believe,  that  I 
sent  the  morning  after  her  return  from  Padoue,  instead 
of  going  to  see  how  she  did.  Her  answer  was,  that 
she  thought  I had  been  unwell.  I could  not  go  till 
the  third  day,  because  of  one  of  my  head-aches,  with 
which,  however,  I am  not  so  much  troubled  since  my 
illness,  and  which  I attribute  in  a great  measure  to 
my  having  left  off  snuff  . . . 

‘ I dare  not  venture  to  send  any  of  your  things 
home  ; ’tis  more  dangerous  than  ever.  The  Spaniards 
keep  a watch  out  of  the  Gulph  of  Spezia  and  may 
take  every  ship  that  passes.  The  merchants  are  horribly 
uneasy.  I can  venture,  therefore,  to  send  nothing  home 

VOL.  I.  E 


50 


GE.Dm.TL 


1742. 


but  a great  jar  of  Cedrati  in  gucizzo,  which  is  the  only 
way  of  preserving  them  for  so  long  a voyage.  The 
whim  of  sending  you  them  came  through  my  hearing 
a dissertation  upon  Cedrati  at  Signor  Ferroni’s,  where 
my  brother  of  France  said  he  had  that  day  (as  he  did 
every  Christmas)  sent  six  Cedrati  to  Cardinal  Fleuri, 
who  was  extremely  pleased  with  them.  Well,  says  I, 
if  I knew  how  to  get  any  to  England,  I would  really 
send  Mr.  Walpole  some.  “ In  guazzo!  ” they  all  cried, 
“ there  is  no  other  way;  ” and  some  days  after  Madame 
Ferroni  sent  me  some  from  Bella  Vista.  I got  more, 
and  set  folks  about  them  to  put  them  “ in  guazzo.” 
The  earthcjuake  has  so  deranged  everybody  and  every- 
thing at  Leghorn,  that  there  they  are  still.  . . On 
fryday  last  they  say  there  was  two  small  shocks  not 
felt  by  everybody. 

‘ The  Princess  sends  me  word  from  t’other  appart- 
ment,  qu’elle  croyoit  de  trouver  Monsieur  Mann,  et 
qu’elle  me  grondera  un  peu  quand  elle  me  voit.  I 
deny  positively  that  I am  at  home. — Adieu,  my 
dearest  Child,  I am  for  ever  yours.’ 

The  above  letter  is  addressed  ‘ To  the  ITonble. 
Horace  Walpole,  Esq.,  Jun.,  at  the  Eight  Honble.  Sir 
Kobert  Walpole,  London. 

Out  of  the  general  confusion  the  Jacobites  hoped 
to  reap  substantial  advantages.  In  a letter  of  the 
25th  March,  Mann  informs  Walpole  that  he  has 
received  repeated  accounts  from  Eome,  that  ‘ all  the 
notices  and  insinuations  of  what  is  doing  in  England, 
in  the  House  of  Lords  and  in  the  Commons,  and  of 
the  disconsolate  condition  in  which  the  King  is  de- 
scribed, are  regularly  sent  thither,  to  a person  I have 


1742. 


THE  JACOBITES. 


51 


named  to  the  Duke  of  Newcastle,  by  divers  people, 
particularly  Sir  Francis  Dashwood  (whom,  however,  I 
have  not  named),  which  notices  are  immediately 
carried  to  11  ’ (the  old  Chevalier).  To  Walpole’s 
announcement  that  Lord  Limerick’s  motion  in  the 
Commons  against  Sir  Robert  Walpole  (‘for  a com- 
mittee to  examine  into  the  conduct  of  the  last  twenty 
years  ’)  had  been  lost  by  244  to  242,  and  that  the 
Duke  of  Argyle  had  resigned,  Mann  replied  in  a letter 
of  April  17,  1742:  ‘We  are  told,  and  ’tis  wrote 
from  Rome,  that  things  are  greatly  exasperated  since 
that  motion  was  thrown  out ; and  since  the  Duke  of 
Argyle  resigned,  from  whom  great  matters  are  now 
expected.  I rather  believe  the  Lords  hoped  much 
greater  had  he  stayed  in.  You  guessed  very  right  ; 
the  Pretender  and  all  that  set  are  in  high  spirits,  and 
flatter  themselves  more  than  ever.  I don’t  know  but 
they  have  reason.  I confess  to  you,  I should  be  very 
sorry  to  see  the  Duke  of  Argyle  with  an  army  ; then 
might  the  Pretender,  in  my  opinion,  triumph.’ 

April  8th.— ‘ There  has  been  a Medal  struck,  with 
the  Great  Duke  Francis’s  head  on  one  side,  with  the 
motto  “ Aut  Caesar  aut  Nihil  ” ; on  the  other,  the  Em- 
peror Charles,  with  “Et  Caesar  et  Nihil.”  Accompanied 
with  this  idea  of  peace  universal,  there  is  a stronger 
persuasion  than  ever  that  Don  Phillip  is  at  last  to  be 
our  Great  Duke.  I don’t  wonder  at  the  common 
people  who  wish  it  believing  it,  as  they  see  he  ad- 
vances on  his  journey  towards  Italy;  but  I find 
among  the  Lorrains  such  an  opinion  likewise  prevails, 
and  they  say  they  are  to  go  to  Milan.  A great 
number  of  cases  are  continually  sending  off  to  Leg- 


52 


WAR. 


1742. 


horn,  in  order  to  go  to  Trieste ; but  nothing  out  of 
the  Palazzo  Pitti  or  Gallery  is  visibly  touched.  Don 
Phillip,  according  to  the  disposition  of  the  route,  and 
notice  by  a courier  that  passed  to  Naples,  was  to 
arrive  at  Antibes  as  the  day  before  yesterday,  the  6th. 
They  suppose  he  is  to  embark  immediately.  I can’t 
tell  how  that  will  be,  but  I have  received  a letter  this 
morning  from  Mr.  Haddock,  by  a ship  he  has  de- 
spatched to  Leghorn,  in  answer  to  that  I wrote  him 
lately,  to  acquaint  me  that  he  was  ready  to  put  to  sea, 
and  would  to  the  utmost  of  his  power  endeavour  to 
execute  the  King’s  orders,  either  by  preventing  the 
further  embarkation  of  troops  from  Spain  for  Italy, 
or  by  giving  all  aid  and  protection  to  the  countries 
of  his  Majesty’s  allies.  This  I have  acquainted  Prince 
Craon  with,  by  a letter  this  morning,  and  have  re- 
ceived for  answer  that  he  will  communicate  the  con- 
tents of  it  to  the  Kegency,  and  then  tell  me  their 
answer.  The  Captain  who  brought  this  letter  says 
that  all  the  dispositions  were  made  in  the  fleet,  in 
the  best  order.  The  Frigates  were  out  and  stationed 
at  Barcelona,  so  as  to  watch  the  motions  of  the  Span- 
iards, one  of  which  had  taken  the  Tender  belonging 
to  Admiral  Perez,  with  60  men  and  an  officer  on  board 
her.  Admiral  Haddock  had  been  extreme  ill,  but  was 
something  better.’ 

‘ I do  not  recover  strength  so  fast  as  I would  wish. 

. . . The  weather  is  so  extravagantly  bad  that  if  I was 
well  I could  not  venture  out.  I receive  a great  deal 
of  company.  All  the  ladies  in  town  come  by  turns  to 
me.  Mrs  Goldworthy  being  still  here,  without  the  least 
necessity,  as  her  home  is  prepared  at  Leghorn,  makes 


1742. 


MANN  AT  HOME. 


53 


it  very  inconvenient,  as  she  makes  use  of  all  the  house 
except  the  two  small  rooms  on  the  right  hand  of  the 
Hall.  She  talks  now  of  going  away,  hut  I see  she 
will  draw  it  on  as  long  as  she  can  ; nor  I believe 
would  she  have  thought  of  it  had  she  not  been 
frightened  by  some  great  cracks  which,  on  exami- 
nation, prove  to  be  of  consequence,  and  must  be 
mended.  On  which  account,  as  soon  as  I am  able, 
and  she  is  gone,  I must  retire  again  to  my  old  appart- 
ments  near  the  Gallery,  as  all  the  other  rooms  will  be 
rendered  uninhabitable,  and  the  front  towards  the 
garden  almost  pulled  down  ? ’ 

Mann  makes  frequent  allusion  to  the  great  Italian 
beauty  of  that  day,  Madame  Griffoni  (nee  Elizabetta 
Capponi),  to  whom  Horace  Walpole  had  made  love, 
after  his  fashion,  and  whom  he  spoke  of  as  £ his  illus- 
trious mistress.’  Presents,  messages,  and  compliments  • 
passed  between  them  through  the  agency  of  Mann  ; 
but  Walpole  makes  singular  comment  on  his  friend’s 
intimation  that  he  had  gone  to  an  entertainment  at 
the  illustrious  beauty’s  house.  ‘How  exceedingly 
obliging  to  go  to  Madame  Griffoni’s  festino ; but,  be- 
lieve  me,  I shall  be  angry  if,  for  my  sake,  you  do 
things  that  are  out  of  your  character,  don’t  you 
know  that  I am  infinitely  fonder  of  that  than  of  her.’ 
The  fine  gentleman’s  affected  passion  soon  died  out : 
‘Lord!’  he  writes  to  Mann,  ‘I  am  heartily  tired  of  that 
romantic  love  and  correspondence.’  Walpole’s  jokes 
upon  her  and  her  more  or  less  illustrious  Cicisbeos 
were  not  marked  by  much  refinement.  He  became 
weary  of  writing  to  her,  his  ‘ Serene  Princess  ! ’ — 

‘ Alas ! I owe  her  two  letters,  and  where  to  find  a 


54 


MADAME  GMFFONI. 


1742, 


beau  sentiment,  I cannot  tell.  I believe  I may  liavc 
some  by  me  in  an  old  cliest  of  drawers,  with  some 
exploded  red-heel  shoes  and  full-bottom  wigs  ; but 
they  would  come  out  so  yellow  and  moth-eaten.  . . . 
Do  vow  to  her  that  my  eyes  have  been  so  bad  that,  as 
1 wrote  you  word  over  and  over,  I have  not  been  able 
to  write  a line.’  Madame  Griffoni  wrote  to  Walpole 
from  Florence,  and  he  noticed  her  by  saying  to  Mann, 
‘ Where  to  find  a penful  of  Italian  in  the  world,  I 
know  not ! ’ The  married  lady  sent  to  her  Cicisbeo  for 
an  hour,  a tender  gift  of  hams  and  wine.  ‘ My  dear 
child,’  he  wrote  to  Mann,  ‘ be  my  friend,  and  preserve 
me  from  heroic  presents  ! I cannot  possibly  at  this 
distance,  begin  a new  courtship  of  regali ; for  I sup- 
pose all  these  hams  were  to  be  converted  into  watches 
and  toys.’  He  is  aware  that  a Florentine  Ariadne 
is  not  likely  to  be  altogether  abandoned,  and  after 
awhile  he  asks,  ‘ Who  consoles  my  illustrious  mistress?’ 
As  years  passed  by,  and  after  a whole  generation  had 
gone  to  ‘the  senseless  damp  of  graves,’  he  had  curiosity 
enough  to  enquire  ‘ if  Madame  Griffoni,  though  thir- 
teen years  older,  preserves  any  remains  of  beauty, 
like  the  Duchess  of  Queensberry.  ’ When  the  Miss 
Berrys  were  in  Florence,  in  1790,  Walpole  recalled  to 
memory  his  old  Florentine  time  and  its  manners  ; and 
he  wrote  to  Agnes,  ‘ I suppose  none  of  my  Florentine 
acquaintances  are  still  upon  earth?  The  handsomest 
woman  there  of  my  days  was  a Madame  Griffoni, 
my  fair  Geraldine.  She  would  now  be  a Methusela- 
ness,  and  much  more  like  a frightful  picture  I have 
of  her  by  a one-eyed  German  painter.  I lived  then 
with  Sir  Horace  Mann,  in  Casa  Marinetti,  in  Via  de’ 


1742. 


ANTINORI. 


55 


Santi  Apostoli,  by  the  Ponte  di  Trinitk.’  From  that 
Casci,  Mann  wrote  as  follows  to  Walpole,  in  April, 
1742:— 

‘ Madame  Griffoni  sends  you  a thousand  compli- 
ments. Antinori,  who  was  by,  desires  hers  too.  She 
has  of  late  taken  to  the  eldest  Seristori,  or  he  to  her, 
which  she  does  not  seem  to  disapprove  of,  to  the  great 
disturbance  of  Marquis  Albizzi,  who  has  challenged 
him  for  it ; but  by  the  interposition  of  friends 
nothing  came  of  it.’ 

Antinori  was  the  sister  of  Griffoni — of  whose  hus- 
band, by  the  way,  no  notice  is  taken  by  any  one.  It 
is  otherwise  of  her  Cicisbei.  There  was  quite  a sen- 
sation in  Florence,  when  Montemar,  the  General  com- 
manding the  Spanish  troops  in  Italy  against  the 
Imperialists,  was  reported  to  have  left  the  Galla  for 
Griffoni,  and  then  to  have  offered  the  homage  of  his 
services  to  Antinori, — for  whom  Mann  himself  came  to 
entertain  a strange  and  deep  affection. 

April  17 th. — £A  poem  lately  came  to  my  sight, 
printed  in  1741,  it  is  said  to  be  Pope’s,  and  entitled 
“ Are  these  things  so  ? ” It  has  been  brought  to  light 
and  translated  by  word  of  mouth  to  all  that  would  or 
would  not  hear  it ; and  has  been  given  to  be  translated 
into  Italian  verse,  in  order  (if  the  person  will  do  it)  to 
be,  I imagine,  printed  and  made  as  publick  as  possible. 
202  ’ (Mann  himself)  ‘ has  done  all  he  can  to  prevent 
its  appearance  in  that  language,  having  some  influence 
over  the  person  chosen  out  to  do  it,  and  the  only  one 
indeed  here  that  is  capable  of  such  a performance. 
Can  you  imagine  anything  more  inveterate  ? There 
can  be  no  motive  in  this  but  malice,  as  in  my  opinion 


56 


POLITICS. 


1742. 


there  is  nothing  but  downright  scandal  and  insolence 
in  that  poem,  without  the  least  invention  or  aught  that 
could  indicate  it  to  be  of  Pope,  but  it’s  supreme 
scandal  and  villainy.  Surely  those  that  can  write 
or  can  like  such  performances  must  be  extremely  un- 
happy from  the  Gaul  (sic)  of  bitterness  in  their  own 
hearts.’ 

Turning  from  poetry  to  politics,  Mann  says  : — c The 
country  is  in  great  attention  to  see  how  Don  Phillip  is 
to  be  disposed  of.  His  proceedings  on  his  journey,  in 
order,  as  it  is  confidently  said,  to  embark  at  Antibes, 
makes  people  conclude  he  will  embark,  which  they 
think  he  would  not  do  if  there  were  not  great  security 
for  his  passage.  Various  are  the  conjectures  where  he 
is  to  land  ; some  think  in  the  Genoese  state,  and  that 
a house  has  been  prepared  on  another  pretence,  by 
Marquis  Mari.  Dispositions  have  been  made  at  Orbi 
tello  sufficient  to  make  some  suspect  he  is  to  land 
there  ; and,  by  the  letters  of  this  morning  from  Rome, 
it  is  wrote  that  Acquaviva  has  most  magnificently 
furnished  his  palace  at  Capracola  and  that  it  is  pub- 
lickly  said  Don  Phillip  is  to  reside  there  till  his  fate  be 
decided  ; which  people  interpret,  till  he  is  to  take 
possession  of  Tuscany,  which  the  Queen  of  Spain  is 
working  to  bring  about.’ 

With  Mann’s  letter  went  one  from  Mr.  Chute, 
written  on  the  same  day,  April  1 7.  It  is,  as  Mr.  Chute 
remarks,  cfour  sides  to  very  little  purpose.’  One  line 
refers  to  the  climate  of  Florence,  at  such  an  advanced 
Spring-time.  £ The  season  is  still  sick  of  a lingering 
Winter.  In  another  letter’s  time  it  will  be  Spring  ! ’ 
Chute  adds  : ‘ We  can  give  no  guess  at  the  D.  of  O’s 


1742. 


THEATRICALS. 


57 


reasons,  if  he  has  any.  He  puts  me  in  mind  of  an 
Epitaph  that  was  made  on  a covetous  Archbishop : 

“ Here  lies  his  Grace  in  cold  clay  clad 
Who  died  for  want  of  what  he  had.”  ’ 

Spring  did  not  come  so  early  as  Chute  foretold. 
Mann  writes  on  the  22nd  April,  ‘ The  Post  is  not 
yet  come  in  from  France,  on  account  of  the  extreme 
bad  weather.  For  some  days  past,  particularly  high 
winds  have  retarded  the  passage  from  Genoa  to 
Lirici.’  Meanwhile,  when  Europe  was  in  arms  and 
Death  was  sagacious  of  his  quarry  from  afar,  Florence 
was  stirred  by  the  following  incident : — 

“ I have  most  innocently  been  drawn  into  a contest 
about  my  box  in  the  Great  Theater.  Three  months 
after  I had  made  use  of  it,  when  I expected  nothing 
less,  Ridolfi,  who  was  the  Impresario,  came  to  me 
before  the  Carnival,  and  offered  me  a better  box  than 
my  old  one,  assruing  me  that  Count  Richecourt  had 
given  orders  to  his  Secretary  to  give  up  his.  On  those 
assurances  I took  it ; but  found  about  ten  days  ago 
that  the  Count  has  been  highly  offended  ever  since, 
saying  that  I had  shown  by  this,  the  highest  mark  of 
disattention  in  not  having  wrote  to  him  at  Padoue  to 
know  if  Rodolfi  had  really  the  authority  he  pretended. 
Was  ever  anything  so  wrong  judged  1 What  had  I 
to  do  with  anybody  but  the  Impresario  ? and  what 
reason  had  I to  disbelieve  his  assertions  ? But  Twill 
be  difficult  to  please  at  present.  I sent  Dr.  Cocchi  to 
Count  Richecourt,  as  I don’t  go  out,  to  represent  the 
thing  in  its  true  light,  but  was  enraged  to  find  that 
neither  that  justification,  or  that  still  further  conde- 


58 


MANN’S  SOUSE. 


1742. 


scension  of  resigning  the  box  to  him  (assuring  him  that 
I by  no  means  pretended  that  the  possession  I had  had 
of  it,  for  one  Carnival,  by  a mistake,  authorized  me 
to  deprive  him  of  it  any  longer),  met  with  the  reception 
I had  reason  to  expect.’ 

‘ I told  you  Mrs.  Goldworthy  left  me  last  Monday. 
I have  received  a letter  of  thanks  which  begins  so : — 
“ as  Words  is  wliat  I have  not  Retori ck  to  find  out  to 
thank  you,” — and  so  on,  three  long  sides  of  nonsense. 
You  asked  if  the  maids  might  not  be  useful  to  make 
English  things  for  me  during  my  illness.  Their  time 
I am  told  was  employed  in  making,  and  I suppose 

unmaking,  boys  and  girls.  Never  was  such  a 

house  ! Such  ointments,  gallipots,  and  nastiness  have 
been  found  in  all  the  corners  ; foh  ! That  part  of  the 
house  is  airing  and  will  be  sweet  I hope  in  about  10 
days,  against  I inhabit  it,  while  this  part  is  mending. 

£ A stop  has  been  put  to  Gavi’s  process,  and  he  set 
at  large  ; I mean,  he  has  the  whole  Fortezzo  di  Basso 
for  his  prison,  with  a permission  to  receive'  all  the 
world.  All  his  original  papers,  on  which  his  process 
was  formed,  have  been  restored  him  ; so  there’s  an 
end  of  this. 

£ I long  to  see  old  Sarah’s  Memoirs,  as  well  as  the 
Duchess  of  Queensberry’s  answer  who  we  hear  has 
wrote  against  her  ; these  two  game  hens  must  be  very 
entertaining  to  the  town. 

£ I thank  you  for  the  trouble  you  have  taken  to 
transcribe  so  great  a part  of  Pope’s  new  Dunciad.  I 
think  it  is  vastly  obscure  in  many  places,  but  in 
general,  pretty.  Whilst  satire  is  general  one  can 
bear  it ; but  I so  detest  that  abject  creature  that  I 


1742. 


LADY  WALPOLE . 


59 


am  even  prejudiced  against  all  lie  can  write,  so  far  am 
I from  approving  all  that  comes  from  his  pen,  as  it  is 
so  much  the  fashion  to  do. 

‘ . . . My  Lady  (Lady  Walpole),  Sturgiss,  Riche- 
court,  and  all  that  party  use  most  provoking  language 
about  Sir  Robert.  She  has  taken  great  pains  to  say 
to  everybody  that  I am  so  prejudiced  a creature 
of  his,  that  all  that  I can  say  is  to  be  doubted ; that 
either  I don’t  know,  or  won’t  own  the  truth  of  half 
what  she  asserts  and  which  is  alone  to  be  depended 
upon  ; that  she  has  the  best  and  greatest  correspond- 
ents now  in  England,  where  letters  are  no  longer 
intercepted — and,  after  all  this,  you  can’t  conceive 
what  idle  stuff  is  vended  about  by  her  emissary  Stur- 
giss, who  has  a crowd  of  hearers  at  the  Swiss  Coffee 
House  near  the  Duomo.  I say  nothing  to  all  this. 
One  week  generally  destroys  the  notices  of  the  past, 
’twould  be  endless  and  of  no  kind  of  use  to  enter  into 

disputes.  W s are  always  impudent.  . . . She 

threatens  to  go  to  England  to  see  for  her  estate  and 
the  title  which  lays  dormant  in  her,  which  she  will 
have,  to  leave  the  name  she  has  so  long  detested.  It 
is  so  much  the  fashion,  my  dear  child,  to  abuse  Sir  R., 
that  nobody  can  be  thought  a well-wisher  to  the 
Queen  of  Hungary,  who  does  otherwise.  Everything 
that  was  done  for  her  when  he  was  Minister  is  forgot. 

May  15  til. — £ I have  a thousand  of  your  things  here, 
bronzes,  pictures,  little  vases,  etc.,  and  I can  venture  to 
send  nothing  away  but  the  cats.’  (These  were  Maltese 
cats, — chronicled  in  the  Walpole  letters.)  £ Did  you  ever 
receive  the  cedrati  ? I have  in  the  last  week,  at  Mr. 
Trevor’s  request,  sent  him  a jar  of  cedrati,  in  the 
same  manner. 


CO 


PRESENTS  FROM  ENGLAND. 


1742. 


‘ I cannot  comprehend  how  I could  defer  one 
moment  telling  you  that  the  cargo  of  fine  things  came 
safe  to  my  hands  three  days  ago.  I cannot  express  to 
you  the  pleasure  the  discovery  of  such  new  beauty 
gave  me  on  opening  them.  The  box  which  I most 
particularly  thank  you  for,  is  really  one  of  the  most 
delicate  pieces  of  work  I ever  saw.  So  says  the  whole 
town,  for  it  is  handed  about  as  a great  curiosity.  . . . 
Each  person  was  quite  pleased  with  their  presents. 
The  very  morning  after  I got  them,  Prince  Craon  came 
with  G-uadegni,  and  Buondelmonte,  and  he  stayed  to 
drink  chocolate.  I told  him  I had  a letter,  which  with 
his  tabletts  and  Buckles  I presented  to  him ; the  red 
one  first  which  he  admired,  then  came  that  most  mag- 
nificent one,  at  the  beauty  of  which  he  seemed  amazed. 
He  cried : “ Quest  ce  que  best,  Monsieur  ? C’en  est 
trop ; ” then  run  into  the  next  room  to  show  them  to 
everybody.  I cannot  repeat  to  you  what  each  one 
said,  but  it  was  applause  in  different  shapes,  and  the 
many  obliging  things  they  all  said  of  you-  made  me 
open  my  treasure  of  steel  ware  for  each  to  furnish 
himself  as  he  liked  best.  What  could  I not  have 
parted  with  on  such  an  occasion  ? The  Prince  read 
his  letter  aloud ; this  raised  their  curiosity  to  see  the 
things  for  the  Princess,  but  I thought  it  a better  com- 
pliment to  Him  as  well  as  to  her  to  refuse  showing  them 
till  lie  had  seen  them.  This  she  afterwards  interpreted 
as  a particular  jinezza. 

‘ Rendez  vous  was  given  me  the  same  day  at  21 
hours  to  see  all  the  Jewels  of  Francescho  which  are  on 
sail  (sic)  at  the  Princess’s,  I did  not  like  the  occasion, 
but  could  not  defer  it,  though  I assure  you  I lost 


1742. 


THE  PRINCESS  EE  CBAON. 


61 


nothing  by  displaying  your  presents  after  she  had 
seen  the  Jewels.  I gave  her  your  letter  and  the  little 
case,  and  desired  she  would  give  leave  for  a little 
bundle  my  servant  had  without,  to  be  put  into  her 
room,  this  was  refused  and  immediately  called  for, 
and  all  the  things  opened.  Such  joy  ! such  Exclama- 
tions. There  was  Antinori,  Guadegni,  de  Sade,  Buon- 
delmonte,  Madame  Seresini  and  Pugi  and  St.  Jean  and 
Forzoni  and  the  Pages  and  the  whole  tribe  that  used 
to  attend  at  Pharaoh  and  Lansequenet,  and  all  were 
applied  to  for  their  approbation,  and  each  strove  to 
make  his  court  by  the  strength  of  his  expressions. 
Mme.  Seresini  stuck  to  the  Indian  Ink.  “Eh,  Madame, 
je  vous  prie,  n’en  disposez  pas  trop  volontiers,  car  vous 
trouverez  bien  des  occasions  pour  en  faire  honneur. 
Je  connois  le  prix  de  ca  ! ” I was  glad  of  this  as  I 
really  did  not  myself,  nor  did  the  Princess  seem  to 
think  of  it  so  highly,  but  her  whole  attention  was 
taken  up  with  the  Morocco  patch  box,  which  was  the 
first  she  had  ever  seen, — and  the  Turkey  handker- 
chiefs, particularly  that  with  the  small  sprigs,  about 
which  her  expressions  were  quite  extravagant. — “Je 
me  leverois  volontiers  a minuit  pour  le  voir.  Oh  la 
grande  beaute ! ” “Ah  qu’il  est  obligeant,  et  qu’il  con- 
noit  mongout!”  “Ilfaut  qu’il  ait  etudie  pour  me  faire 
plaisir  ! Mais  c’est  trop  magnifique;  s’il  etoit  possible, 
je  le  gronderais  ! ” Here  Prince  Craon  could  keep  his 
resolution  no  longer  to  conceal  from  her  his  Sardony 
and  pocket-book  till  July,  as  a present  on  her  fete, 
as  he  till  then  designed  : “ Ah,  si  vous  scaviez  tout, 
Madame,  quest  ce  que  vous  diriez  ? ” — “ Comment 
tout,  Monsieur  ? Ne  me  rendez  done  pas  confuse.” — 


62 


FRINGE  AND  PRINCESS. 


1742. 


“Eli  bien  ! je  ne  vous  le  montrerai  pas;  j’ai  fini  ma 
mie  ; je  n’en  dirai  plus  rien  ; meme,  j’ai  promis  de 
garder  le  secret.  Ces  messieurs  en  sont  temoins.” — 
“ Mais  quest  ce  done  ? Ces  messieurs  sont  tous  dans 
un  complot  contre  moi!  Permettez  que  je  vous  dise, 
Messieurs,  que  e’est  un  peu  impertinent.” — Every  one 
excused  himself  on  the  promise  given  to  the  Prince. 
Here’s  a secret,  you’ll  say,  en  bon  train.  In  short  the 
Prince  to  save  his  word,  said  : “Eh  bien,  Messieurs, 
soyez  temoins  que  ce  n’est  pas  moi.  Si  Madame  de 
Craon  veut  fouiller  ma  poche  gauche,  quest  ce  que  je 
puis  faire  ? ” At  this  she  darted  her  hand  into  his 
pocket,  with  eagerness,  and  pulled  out  the  etui.  The 
little  resistance  it  made  to  be  opened,  for  she  could 
not  find  the  clasps,  seemed  to  augment  the  pleasure 
when  the  book  presented  itself  : “ Ah,  9a  ! e’est  veri- 
tablement,  trop  ! Est  ce  que  vous  permettez  9a  ? Mais 
e’est  exceder ! et  je  veux  etre  fierement  en  colere  ! 
Comment ! des  tablettes  de  cette  magnificence  avec 
des  presents  si  considerables  que  voila ! ” — “Ah, 
Princesse,”  says  I,  “ ne  le  prenez  pas  sur  ce  ton,  je 
vous  supplie.  Monsieur  Walpole  n’a  pas  pretendu 
vous  faire  des  presents  de  prix.  Ce  sont  des  baga- 
telles qu’il  espere  seulement  etre  de  votre  gout.” — 
“Qu’appelez  vous  des  bagatelles,  Monsieur,  qu’est  ce 
que  vous  qualifiez  de  ce  nom  la  ? ” — “ Mais,  Princesse, 
regardez  ces  souliers  de  femme,  ces  eventails,  ces 
mouchoirs.’’*— ‘ Oh  pour  ceque  vous  venez  de  nommer, 
je  lui  s9ais  bon  gre  ” — “ Allons,  Madame;  accommodons 
tout  9a.” — “ Je  mettrai  ces  boittes  sur  ma  toilette  ; ne 
laissez  pas  meme  un  morceau  de  ce  papier  Indien,  car 
je  ne  veux  rien  perdre  de  tout  9a,” 


1742. 


MADAMS  GR1FF0NI. 


63 


! I made  my  escape  as  soon  as  I could,  not  to  miss 
the  Griffoni,  but  I got  to  her  door  just  as  her  coach 
was  moving  from  it.  She  took  it  for  a visit  in  return 
to  those  she  had  made  me  during  my  illness.  My 
coach  coming  up  with  hers,  I told  her  I had  a letter 
to  deliver  her,  which  she  desired  I would  give  to  the 
servant,  to  save  me  the  trouble  of  returning.  I told 
her  my  directions  were  to  give  it  into  her  own  hands, 
she  must  excuse  me  if  I deferred  till  I found  her  at 
home,  and  that  I would  attempt  it  the  next  morning. 
In  the  mean  time,  the  presents  to  her  cousin  had  been 
shown  that  evening  to  every  body,  so  that  she  had 
heard  of  them,  and  on  my  giving  her  the  letter,  I said 
I was  directed  to  present  her  a trifle  in  your  name. 
She  began  to  say  you  have  favoured  her  too  gene- 
rously before,  etc.  I stopped  her  by  showing  her  the 
Queen  of  Scots’s  picture,  and  then  the  fans  ; and  then 
said  there  was  still  a trifle  to  show  her  the  work  of 
England ; on  which  I helped  her  to  open  the  case. 
I saw  she  was  surprized  and  would  have  said  as  many 
pretty  things  as  the  Princess  had  done,  but  I stopped 
her  by  telling  her  that  I was  only  the  porter  of  these 
things,  and  that  I should  give  you  sufficient  pleasure 
by  telling  you  only  that  she  la  aveva  gradita.  “ Oh, 
questo  glielo  diro  di  me,”  etc.  She  staid  at  home  that 
evening.  The  watch  was  shewn  to  the  few  ladies,  and 
they  sent  many  more  the  next  morning  to  see  it. 
Insomuch  that  nothing  else  was  talked  of  at  the 
Theater  the  next  evening.  The  Riccardi  told  her 
mother  who  had  not  seen  it,  that  she  would  not 
pretend  to  give  a description  of  it,  as  it  was  im- 
possible, but  advised  her  to  sec  it,  or  send  to  ask  for 
my  box  which  might  give  her  some  idea.’ 


64 


FESTIVALS. 


1742. 


‘ Last  night  there  was  a Ball  at  Madame  Craon’s, 
being  the  Queen’s  Day.  Madame  Griffoni  was  there 
in  your  watch,  and  the  whole  town  examined  it,  and 
was  delighted  with  the  workmanship.  Madame 
Griffoni  was  the  only  one  uneasy  for  fear  of  its  being- 
let  fall.  I had  before  given  the  fans  to  the  little 
Albizzi,  who  sends  you  many  thanks,  and  that 
‘Monsieur  Walpole  non  doveva  far  queste  ceremonie 
ni  darci  questo  incommodo.’  Madame  Galli  I have 
not  seen,  though  I have  been  twice  to  give  her  the  pins 
and  fans.  She  has  a child  sick,  and  receives  nobody. 
The  Suareses  are  not  come  back,  tho’  expected  soon. 
I keep  the  charming  box,  the  handsome  cone,  etc.,  till 
they  are  here.  They  say  Ferdinando  is  a Sposo  to  a 
rich  Friulian  lady.  I have  wrote  to  the  Pucci  how  I 
am  to  send  her  silks  and  Giovinando’s  salts.  I thank 
you  for  the  books,  the  prints,  the  pamphlets,  and  the 
views  of  Houghton.  Stosch  told  me  six  months  ago 
you  ought  to  have  sent  him  the  letter  to  put  into  his 
great  collection,  by  which  you  would  have  paid  him 
for  the  carriage  of  medals  from  Borne,  and  Postadge, 
etc.  I asked  him  seriously  what  you  owed  him,  and 
would  have  paid  it,  but  he  said  he  joked.’ 

‘There  was  a great  Festin  di  Giuoco  t’other  day, 
at  the  Sposo  Paneiattici’s,- — the  wedding  feast  put  off  by 
his  having  the  small-pox ; and  his  Brothers,  meazles. 
’Twas  extremely  fine.  She  could  not  dance  last  night 
at  Prince  Craon’s.  Poor  Mr.  Chute  was  obliged  to 
play  at  ombre  with  the  Prince  and  that  horrid 
Guadagni  who  scowled  most  indecently,  tore  the  cards 
and  begged  God  would  give  her  patience  ! and  all 
this  fluster  for  a fish  or  two  that  she  lost,  while  Mr. 


1742. 


FOREIGN  POST'. 


G5 


Chute  was  losing  twenty  at  a pistole  a peice.  The 
Prince  was  peevish  because  the  violins  made  a noise 
and  such  a carillon  that  he  could  not  mind  his 
cards.’ 

£ I cannot  observe  any  sign  of  your  letters  being 
opened  ; but  this  last  is  of  a week’s  later  date  than  all 
others  by  the  same  post ; this  is  of  more  inconvenience 
with  regard  to  my  peace  than  you  are  aware  of,  for  as 
this  place  and  its  inhabitants,  and  the  inhabitants 
of  neighbouring  Leghorn,  the  Mantoua  Gazzett,  etc., 
are  fertile  in  inventing  lyes,  till  I know  they  are 
so,  I cannot  help  being  uneasy.  Who  is  that  Mr. 
Paxton,  and  what  is  his  history  ? He  is  called  here  a 
Secretary  of  Sir  R.,  and  told  us  a dreadfull  circum- 
stance in  this  last  week.  He  (Sir  R.)  £ was  said  to  be 
out  of  England  and  coming  to  Italy.  The  lye  of  the 
coffin  and  55,000  pounds  has  been  made  much  of 
here,  and  one  would  think  that  the  Bern,  Mantoua,, 
and  Bologna  Gazzettes  were  furnished  by  those  who 
supply  Pannoni.  The  letters  are  just  come  in  from 
77  ’ (Rome)  ‘wherein  the  peevish  Knight,’  (Sir  Francis 
Dashwood)  £is  much  mentioned.  Call  him  in  our 
list,  12.  Nothing  of  him  worth  particularising.  He 
discovers  his  inveteracy  to  34  ’ (George  II.)  £ and 
affirms  that  everything  possible  will  be  done  to  curtail 
his  power,  and  that  the  inveteracy  to  prosecute  the 
affair  in  hand  is  excessive. 

May  20th. — £ It  is  a great  mortification  to  me  to 
know  that  my  letters  to  you  are  opened,  yours  to  me 
are  not,  though  your  new  seal  this  time  has  given  me 
some  suspicion.  I send  it  you  back  to  see,  as  I am 
not  convinced  it  is  yours.  You  will  think  it  odd 

VOL.  I.  S’ 


66 


LADY  WALPOLE. 


1742. 


when  I tell  you  that  the  only  danger  I think  of  my 
letters  being  seen  is  before  they  leave  Florence,  which 
is  the  reason  I have  so  often  asked  you  for  the  par- 
ticular dates  of  those  you  receive,  as  I make  memo- 
randums of  them  here. 

‘Lady  Walpole  has  of  late  had  the  assurance  to  say 
that  she  has  letters  of  Mr.  Mann  to  show,  as  proofs  of 
his  writing  ill  of  her  ; this  I don’t  believe. — This,  I 
send  to  Count  Lorenzi’s  to  be  delivered  to  the  Courier 
with  his,  so  that  they  don’t  go  into  any  other  hands  . . . 
Lady  Walpole  is  actually  providing  travelling  cloaths, 
and,  in  order  to  undertake  this  journey,  makes  pro- 
visions only  from  day  to  day.  It  is  said  that  the 
motion  depends  upon  advices  from  England,  and  that 
after  they  come  no  moment  will  be  lost  to  fly  thither. 
Compagni  and  Libri,  the  bankers,  were  I know  applied 
to  to  furnish  LlOOO  on  bills  to  be  given  on  England  ; 
but  on  their  taking  a day  to  consider,  and  on  their 
privately  asking  202’s  (Mr.  Mann’s)  advice,  they  have 
refused  to  comply  with  the  request,  though  some  time 
ago  their  correspondent  at  Venice  furnished  by  their 
order  £500  . . . What  do  you  think  could  be  the  motive 
of  wanting  so  vast  a supply  ? Do  you  think  the  draft 
could  be  designed  to  be  upon  the  usual  people  ? ’ 

c . . . What  can  your  Opera  directors  mean  by 
changing  the  Visconti  for  the  Famagalli  ? You  re- 
member sure  how  vastly  squeezing  she  was  in  the 
Via  di  Cucomero,  and  was  hardly  heard.  She  really 
would  never  have  been  thought  of  for  the  first  woman 
in  the  Pergola, — and  yet  is  to  be  the  first  in  the  Hay- 
market  ; and  indeed  as  a Director  or  Connoisseur  you 
ought  to  have  protested.  . . .’ 


1742. 


THE  GRAND  ELECTRESS. 


67 


‘ . . . Prince  Craon  lias  been  here  this  morning 
to  drink  Chocolate,  and  tells  me  that  the  Princess 
carried  the  patch  box  and  tablettes  t’other  day  to  show 
the  Electress,  who  liked  them  vastly.’  (Anna  Maria 
cle’  Medici.)  This  lady  was  the  daughter  of  Cosmo 
the  Third,  Grand  Duke  ; and  widow  of  John  William, 
Elector  Palatine — since  whose  death  she  had  resided 
in  Florence, — where  she  admired  Walpole’s  presents 
‘vastly.’  She  was  an  artist, — something  more  than 
an  amateur, — and  added  a picture  by  herself  to  the 
masterpieces  in  the  famous  Gallery.  Although  she 
lived  retired,  it  was  in  a retirement  of  the  utmost 
splendour.  All  that  art  and  ingenuity  could  supply, 
and  money  purchase,  the  aged  daughter  of  Cosmo 
gathered  around  her — -jewels,  precious  metals,  costly 
attire — the  mass  of  these  was  immense.  The  glitter 
dazzled  the  eyes  of  beholders,  but  could  hardly  confer 
dignity  on  this  really  last  of  the  Medici. 

The  military  events  of  the  time  brought  in  new 
words  to  the  language.  On  27th  May,  Mann  writes: — 

‘ We  have  no  news  stirring  yet,  but  we  are  in  expecta- 
tion of  a great  deal.  Montemar  with  the  Spaniards  and 
Neapolitans  are  advanced  within  a few  miles  of  the 
Austrosards  from  whom  there  is  a continual  Andi- 
viene  of  couriers,  and  even  the  Orsi  ’ (the  Italian  faction 
favouring  the  claims  of  Don  Phillip  in  Italy)  ‘ seem 
to  apprehend  the  overthrow  of  the  Napolispani  (these 
were  all  new  words  since  you  was  in  Italy,  but  greatly 
now  in  use),  and  then  what  will  become  of  us  % for 
they  have  to  retreat,  and  when  beaten  may  beat  us. 
All  that  is  certainly  known  here  is,  that  on  the  19th 
Montemar  began  to  decamp  from  the  environs  of 


08 


MONTEMAB. 


1742. 


Bologna  . . . and  wliat  is  as  ridiculous  as  true  is 
that  some  days  before  the  Spaniards  left,  they  were 
desirous  of  procuring  for  themselves  the  Kingdom 
of  Heaven  as  well  as  one  in  Lombardy  for  Don 
Phillip,  for  they  all,  I mean  the  officers,  were  remark- 
ably devout,  took  the  Sacrament,  deposited  their  little 
effects  in  the  Banks  and  Convents  in  case  of  a return 
and,  in  case  not,  made  their  wills.  There  is  a pannick 
fear  it  seems  throughout  the  army  which  is  most 
strangely  reduced  by  desertion.  I don’t  remember 
whether  I told  you  that  the  number,  according  to 
the  account  that  Braitwitz  has  given  me,  amounts  to 
8312,  to  the  18th  of  May,  and  that  from  that  day 
to  the  25th,  1028  more,  and  others  continually  arrive. 
The  Conqueror  of  the  Two  Sicilies, — you  remember 
his  speech  to  the  late  Great  Duke,  on  his  return 
from  Bitonto  and  the  answer  da  capo ! cla  capo ! — 
this  conqueror  Montemar  is  thought  to  be  in  a 
woefull  plight.  If  he  fight,  it  is  reckoned  he  will  be 
beat ; if  he  does  not,  he  will  have  no  army  to  fight 
with  ; for  if  they  run  away  from  themselves,  what  will 
they  do  when  they  see  their  enemy  ? All  this  may 
turn  out  well  for  the  Queen’s  affairs  in  Lombardy,  but 
may  bring  confusion  here,  against  which  they  are 
privately  taking  some  precautions,  immediately  after 
the  arrival  of  an  estafette  from  Milan,  that  is  from 
their  army.  Count  Pdchecourt,  I am  afraid,  sent 
to  collect  all  the  money  from  all  the  different  cases, 
which  amounted  they  say  to  600,000  crowns,  and 
caused  it  on  fryday  night  to  be  sent  to  Leghorn  to  be 
deposited  in  the  castle  there.  Whether  it  is  out  of 
fear  of  Spanish  plunderers  or  others,  I can’t  pretend  to 


1742. 


ALARMS. 


G9 


say.  The  Electress  has  omitted  going  to  the  Quieta 
this  year  ; her  courtiers  say  she  is  afraid  of  her  jewels 
in  her  absence ; to  be  sure  her  presence  will  always 
command  respect ; there  must  be  some  very  strong 
reason  for  her,  who  is  very  regular,  not  to  do  what  she 
has  always  reckoned  as  needfull  and  salutary,  both  for 
her  Soul  and  Body.’ 

June  2. — ‘We  are,  as  I told  you  in  my  last,  in 
daily  expectation  of  qualche  fatto  d’  armi  between  our 
neighbouring  armies  ; there  have  been  some  skirmishes 
between  the  Hussars  and  Michelets,  who  pass  and 
repass  the  river.  The  alarm  was  so  great  on  Tues- 
day morning  in  the  Spanish  Camp,  that  an  order  was 
given  to  send  their  baggage  to  Bologna,  and  for  the 
whole  army  to  be,  as  Palombo  says,  in  battle-ray ; in 
which  manner,  as  two  Irish  deserters,  (who  are  in  the 
act  of  eating  below  more  victuals  than  they  have  seen 
for  a week,)  affirm,  they  remained  all  Tuesday,  that 
night,  and  till  Wednesday  evening  in  expectation  of 
a battle,  at  which  time  these  poor  devils  left  them, 
and  are  extreme  glad  they  are  alive.  The  Duke  of 
Modena  has  either  declared  his  resolution  to  observe 
a neutrality,  or  he  declared  for  the  Queen  ; the  latter 
is  asserted  by  three  people,  but  I don’t  give  you  that 
as  good  authority,  finding  that  they  are  strangely 
ignorant  of  what  they  ought  to  know ; even  58 
(Richecourt)  is  in  the  dark.  I believe  it  is  certain 
that  on  Marquis  d’  Ormee’s  visit,  and  pressing  him  to 
declare,  and  the  immediate  march  of  the  whole  Sar- 
dinian and  Austrian  army  towards  the  Parano,  so  as 
to  be  between  that  river  and  Modena,  which  made  the 
junction  of  the  Spanish  and  Modenese  troops  imprac- 


70 


ON  SEA  AND  ASHORE. 


1742. 


ticable — the  Duke,  seeing  no  remedy,  wrote  to  Mon- 
temar,  to  tell  him  that  as  he  had  not  kept  his  word  in 
being  before  Modena  with  his  army,  on  the  Corpus 
Domini,  he  looked  upon  himself  as  no  longer  engaged, 
not  thinking  that  they  could  expect  him  to  cause  his 
whole  country  to  be  ruined  for  them — so  declared  as 
I said  above. 

‘ Here  is  a vile  report  about  the  town,  of  the  King 
of  Prussia  having  defeated  Prince  Charles’s  army  at 
Czaslaw,  near  Prague,  which  has  raised  the  spirits  of 
the  Orsi — horrid  creatures,  whose  hatred  to  their 
master  makes  them  wish  that  everything  may  go 
wrong — nay,  ruin  and  destruction  to  everybody  that 
belongs  to  him.  This  report  of  the  defeat  has  raised 
their  spirits  that  have  been  drooping  ever  since  the 
fleet  has  been  so  ranged  as  to  prevent  more  Spaniards 
coming.  Their  barks  continually  fall  into  Mr.  Les- 
tock’s  hands,  and  they  see  ’tis  impossible  to  pass.  We 
are  awaiting  with  fear  and  trembling,  for  the  arrival 
of  the  post  from  Vienna  this  evening,  with  aching- 
hearts,  though  gay  outsides. 

‘ We  have  two  days’  Gala  for  the  Queen’s  delivery. 
A propos  ! I thought  of  it  yesterday,  and  have  made 
a coat  to  your  delightful  wastecoat  and  faceing  which, 
on  account  of  mourning,  I have  never  been  able  to 
wear  yet ; after  to-morrow,  I must  lay  it  by  again,  as 
the  mourning  will  last  the  whole  summer.  I shall  see 
the  Princess  to-night,  who  was  to  have  had  a gown 
like  it,  if  she  could  have  worn  coloured  cloaths.  There 
is  nothing  at  their  house  this  evening  but  common 
staying  at  home  ; but,  as  there  is  no  public  diver- 
sion, perhaps  there  may  be  some  ladies.  I just 


1742. 


AT  THE  PBETAJA. 


71 


saw  the  Griffoni  this  morning  coming  out  of  the 
Anunziata. 

June  17. — ‘The  King  of  Sardinia,  they  say,  has 
begun  to  act.  His  troops  are  entered  Modena,  and  ’tis 
affirmed  he  is  actually  besieging  the  Cittadel.  The 
Duke,  his  Dutchess,  and  your  two  friends  his  maiden 
sisters  were,  by  the  last  letters,  got  no  farther  than 
St.  Crispino,  but  were  to  proceed  to  Venice.  People 
attached  to  the  Queen  affirm  that  the  Duke  of  Modena 
is  understood  with  {sic)  the  King  of  Sardinia,  and  that 
the  Cittadel  was  to  surrender  as  soon  as  the  batteries 
were  fixed,  and  some  coups  tires.  The  Orsi  say  not, 
and  that  it  will  hold  out  as  long  as  it  can,  and  prevent 
the  Queen’s  and  the  King’s  troops  from  undertaking 
anything  against  Montemar  who,  on  his  side,  will 
certainly  march  to  relieve  Modena.  We  shall  have 
something  by  the  letters  of  this  evening. 

‘ We  were  at  the  Pretaja  yesterday  in  the  after- 
noon. The  Princess  has  been  there  a week.  Madame 
Sarasin  swears  she  has  heard  the  firing  cannon  from 
Modena.  The  Prince  likewise.  He  can  distinguish 
them  too.  He  has  pressed  us  so  extremely  to  pass 
some  days  there,  that  I don’t  know  how  it  will  be 
possible  to  avoid  it.  “ Faites  moi  cette  amitie,”  said 
the  Princess,  and  on  my  making  bows  and  saying 
nothings  for  answers,  she  said  I appeared  to  have  as 
much  degout  for  the  country  as  you  had ; I must  not 
absolutely  refuse.  What  shall  I do  ? The  Prince  is 
to  carry  us  to  Castello  and  Toppaja  and  all  the  places 
thereabouts.  The  Princess  has  desired  I will  carry 
the  plan  of  your  house  the  first  time  I go  there.  The 
Prince  (who  I could  see  did  not  like  it,  because  there 


72 


FROM  MADEIRA. 


1742. 


was  not  window  enough)  has  spoke  to  her  about  it. 
She  said  you  had  found  means  de  l’interesser  en  tout 
ceque  vous  regarde,  not  since  your  fine  presents  I 
assure  you,  “car  je  l’aimois  tout  autant  auparavant.” 
If  any  considerable  part  of  the  fleet  should  come  to 
Leghorn,  I am  to  carry  her  to  see  it. 

‘ I have  had  a stranger,  Acciajoli,  here  this  morning 
to  visit  me  ; a thing  come  from  the  islands  of  Madera 
(sic)  to  marry  his  cousin  the  rich  heiress  to  Casa 
Acciajoli.  He  speaks  nothing  but  Madera ; not  a 
word  of  Italian.  They  are  to  be  married  at  Loreto 
next  month.  She  says  she  doesn’t  mind  the  heats 
and  won’t  put  it  off  till  September,  or  till  she  can 
understand  him.  I cannot  help  adding  a circum- 
stance (now  that  I am  speaking  of  female  eagerness) 
which  I have  lately  been  assured  is  true  with  regard 
to  the  exploits  of  the  Pepi.  Her  Night- errantry 
which  I formerly  mentioned,  was  more  extraordinary 
than  I thought.  Her  Pistols  were  not  charged  against 
Pecori  for  infidelity,  but  against  the  Parigi  for  seduc- 
ing him.  She  was  literally  taken  up  and  conducted 
to  the  Bargellos  to  whom  she  gave  10  Ruspi’  (new 
coined  pistoles)  ‘ to  be  set  free.  ’ 

June  20th. — Everybody  is  out  of  town  and  will 
be  so  till  San  Giovanni  when  we  are  to  hear  a famous 
Opera.  Egizziello  is  our  Soprano ; the  rest  I don’t 
know. 

‘ For  this  last  week  I have  had  complaints  made 
to  me  which  were  brought  by  an  Express,  of  an 
Englishman,  one  Wright’s,  design  to  storm  the  Town 
and  Republick  of  Lucca;  which  horrid  design  was 
manifested  by  his  obstinate  refusal  to  deliver  a couple 


1742. 


MB.  WEIGHT  STOBMS  LUCCA. 


73 


of  Pistols  to  the  Guards  at  the  Gate;  and  his  pre- 
senting one  of  them  cocked  at  the  Corporal  and 
twenty  soldiers  that  demanded  them  of  him ; threaten- 
ing to  kill  them  if  they  persisted.  Much  mischief  might 
have  ensued  had  not  a Colonel  with  thirty  more  sol- 
diers, taken  this  valiant  Squire  Prisoner.  He  was 
conducted  with  the  above  attendants  to  his  Inn,  where 
he  found  another  Guard,  and  two  were  placed  in  his 
bedchamber,  till  one  of  the  Lucchese  noblemen,  to 
whom  our  countryman  had  recommendations,  found 
means  to  persuade  the  Republick  that  no  mischief 
should  ensue.  He  was  kept  three  days,  prisoner, 
when  at  4 o’clock  in  the  morning,  just  as  his  servant 
was  setting  out  post  to  tell  me,  he  received  a message 
from  the  Gonfaloniere,  by  an  officer  who  speaks  English 
— “ that  since  he  had  been  so  daring  as  to  endeavour 
to  enter  the  Town  by  force  of  Arms,  it  was  therefore 
ordered  that  he  should  forthwith  leave  the  State, 
never  presume  to  enter  it  again  without  leave  from 
the  Eepublick ; and  that  there  were  post  horses  at 
the  door  of  his  house,  as  well  as  a Guard  of  Soldiers 
to  see  him  out  of  the  Territories  of  the  Republick  ! ” 
He  answered  a great  deal,  not  much  to  the  purpose. 
However,  his  compliance  with  the  orders  put  an  end 
to  what  had  made  a great  noise,  and  for  three  days 
had  put  their  Excellencies  in  an  uproar.’ 

June  2ith. — ‘ I have  received  by  this  Post  the 
Letter  of  the  20th  May,  which  I should  have  had  by 
the  last,  as  that  of  the  26  th  came  with  it,  which 
convinces  me  that  there  is  some  little  irregularity  in 
the  people  that  have  charge  of  them ; though  I am 
confident  that  they  are  not  opened.  You  continue 


74 


CLIMATES. 


1742. 


to  tell  me  mine  to  you  are.  It  appears  strange  that 
they  should,  for  what  can  any  one  find  to  gratify  their 
curiosity  ? 1 have  strong  suspicions  that  it  is  done 
here,  and  cannot  come  to  the  certainty  of  it. 

£ . . . It  is  as  difficult  here  to  know  the  truth  of 
the  affairs  in  Germany,  as  with  you.  Each  side 
prints  accounts  of  their  own  victory.  We  had  really 
liked  to  have  had  a Te  Deum  for  the  almost  defeat 
of  Prince  Charles,  though  things  were  not  quite  as 
had  as  they  were  first  represented  ; yet  such  another 
victory  would  ruin  the  Queen’s  affairs.’ 

Walpole,  writing  from  Downing  Street,  to  Mann, 
on  the  26tli  of  May,  says  : — £ To  day  calls  itself  the 
26  th  of  May,  as  you  perceive  by  the  date  ; but  I am 
writing  to  you  by  the  fire-side  instead  of  going  to 
Vauxhall.  If  we  have  one  warm  day  in  seven,  ££  we 
bless  our  stars  and  think  it  luxury.”  And  yet  we 
have  as  much  waterworks  and  fresco  diversions  as  if 
we  lay  ten  degrees  nearer  warmth.  Two  nights  ago, 
Ranelagh  Gardens  were  opened  at  Chelsea.’ 

Some  degrees  nearer  the  Equator  made  little  dif- 
ference in  the  temperature  this  year.  £ In  your  letter 
of  the  26  th,’  writes  Mann,  from  Florence,  on  the  24th 
of  June,  £ you  complain  of  cold  ; had  I wrote  to  you 
three  days  ago  Ishould  have  done  the  same,  which 
is  something  more  extraordinary  in  this  climate  ; but 
for  the  week  past  so  much  rain  and  hail  has  fallen, 
that  it  appeared  quite  winter,  and  I unluckily  some 
days  before,  tempted  by  the  fine  weather,  was  got 
down  to  the  Terrass.  Its  tollerably  well  to  day,  and 
I write  with  the  window  open,  whilst  all  the  world 
is  at  the  Corso  and  horse  race.  ’Tis  St.  John’s  Day, 


1742. 


THE  PRIMATE  OF  LORRAINE. 


75 


but  I have  not  stirred  out,  though  I intend  to  go 
to  the  new  Opera,  to  see  Egiziello,  whose  fame  is 
great ; but  I know  I shall  not  like  him  better  than 
Salimbeni.’ 

The  joyous  fervency  with  which  John  the  Baptist 
was  honoured  by  horse-races,  male  Soprani,  and 
dancing  women,  was  considerably  damped  by  news 
which  had  reached  Florence  of  the  death  of  the 
Primate  of  Lorraine.  This  exemplary  ecclesiastic,  a 
son  of  the  Prince  de  Craon,  was  famous  for  his  great 
wit  and  his  greater  vices,  ‘ I have  not  seen  the 
Princess  this  week/  writes  Mann  ; c but  I expect  to 
find  everything  dismal,  for  though  she  never  loved 
the  Primate,  she  must  behave  as  though  she  was 
sorry  for  his  death.  The  news  came  of  it  yesterday/ 
This  calamity  did  not  prevent  the  Prince  de  Craon 
from  starting  the  horses  at  the  Paces,  at  which  the 
Great  Duke’s  horse  won  the  Paglio.’ 

‘The  last  news  we  had  from  the  armies  is  that 
Montemar  decamped  suddenly  a few  days  ago,  with 
a design  ’twas  thought,  to  get  to  a place  called  Firale, 
and  so  have  crossed  the  Parano  to  succour  Modena, 
which  is  actually  bombarding,  but  he  could  not  do  it 
so  slyly,  for  the  King  of  Sardinia  was  too  vigilant 
and  got  the  start  of  him,  so  that  it  is  now  supposed 
he  will  retire  into  the  Ferronese,  where  his  sick  were 
to  have  been  sent,  but  most  of  them  died  on  their 
passage,  by  rains,  etc.  What  alarmed  us  most  was 
that  his  great  Baggage  was  removed  at  the  same  time 
from  Bologna  to  Faenza,  which  might  denote  his 
retirement  into  Tuscany.  The  last  we  heard  of  him 
was  that  he  was  at  Cento.  In  this  decampment  he 


76 


IDEAS  OF  NEUTRALITY. 


1742, 


lias  lost  near  2000  men,  part  by  the  Hussars  who 
attacked  them  in  the  Coda,  and  part  by  desertion. 
We  have  now  three  ships  of  war  at  Leghorn,  taking  in 
provisions,  and  seeking  Pilots  to  go  into  the  Adriatick, 
so  that  if  Montemar  gets  into  the  Perron ese,  he  may 
find  it  difficult  to  be  supplied  with  provisions,  when 
these  ships  secure  the  entrance  of  the  Po.  Disgusts 
have  happened  at  Leghorn,  and  things  are  carried 
strangely  high  by  our  folks.  Captain  Lee  sent 
Richecourt  word  as  to  the  letter  he  wrote  about  it  to 
show  the  impossibility  of  giving  him  the  Pilots  out 
of  the  Gallies,  as  it  would  be  a manifest  breach  of 
the  neutrality,  which  the  Great  Duke  was  not  in  a 
condition  to  break.  Lee  bid  these  Gentlemen  who 
showed  him  Richecourt’s  letter  to  tell  him,  it  appeared 
more  like  one  dictated  by  a Spanish  agent  than  by  the 
Minister  of  an  Ally  whose  interest  was  the  chief 
motive  of  sending  these  ships  into  the  Adriatick.  It 
is  strange  things  cannot  be  managed  with  a little  more 
decency ; but  my  friend  Gold  worthy,  I hear,  foments 
matters  greatly.  Then,  it  is  quite  impossible  to  beat 
into  their  heads  the  notion  of  a neutrality.  They 
answer,  as  the  sailors  did  at  Lisbon,  with  Sir  John 
Norris,  when  they  had  any  quarrel  with  the  people  of 
the  country  : “ God  d — n them  ungrateful  villains ! 
are  not  we  here  to  defend  them  from  Popery  and 
Slavery  ? ” ’ 

St.  John’s  day  was  a theme  which  Mr.  Chute  took 
up  even  more  warmly  and  more  in  detail  than  Mr. 
Mann.  In  a letter  to  Walpole,  dated  24th  June,  from 
c Charming  Terrazzino,  Casa  Ambrosio,  Florence,’  Mr. 
Chute  says : ‘ Lord  ! how  I wish  you  were  at  Florence 


1742. 


BALAAM  AND  HIS  ASS. 


77 


to-day  ? ’tis  San  Giovanni ; the  whole  town  is  a 
“ Stefanier  ” (a  low  word  for  gluttonising),  I have  just 
been  one  of  two  thousand  gapers  to  watch  St.  John’s 
wabbling  Benediction  from  the  top  of  his  wabbling 
Tower.  If  lie  had  danced  this  dance  before  King 
Herod,  I can’t  but  think  it  would  have  hit  his  taste 
as  well  as  the  Damsel’s,  for  which  he  swore  off  his 
head.  We  are  to  have  races  this  afternoon,  and  to 
crown  all,  our  Grand  Opera,  Yia  della  Pergola,  begins 
at  night.  I’ll  say  how  I like  it  when  I’ve  seen  it.  I 
have  heard  it  partly  at  the  Prova,  but  non  saprei,  we 
have  got  Egizziello,  and  that  must  content  us  ; for  I 
doubt  we  have  nobody  else.  Our  first  woman,  Sani, 
is  three  parts  as  ugly  as  yours.  I wish  she  sang  half 
as  well.  Your  Petraja  friends,  in  the  midst  of  all  our 
Mirth,  are  obliged  to  be  sorry ; the  poor  Primate  is 
carried  off  by  the  Small  Pox,  the  very  smallest.  He 
died  at  Paris.  This  will  very  likely  spoil  our  Partie 
di  Campagna. 

‘ In  these  perillous  times,’  adds  Mr.  Chute  in  his 
letter  of  the  24th  June,  £ we  have  very  few  English  at 
Florence.  We  have  only  two,  who,  having  very 
queer  names,  and  no  less  queer  dispositions,  have 
determined  us  to  call  them  Balaam  and  his  Ass.  Did 
you  never  hear  a story  of  Swift  and  a stammering 
’Squire  who  carried  a Bully  about  with  him  to  speak 
for  him.  This  proxy  speaker,  thinking  to  be  witty  on 
the  Dean,  said  to  him,  one  day  at  a full  table: — 
“ What  do  you  Gentlemen  make  of  that  odd  story  of 
Balaam  and  his  ass  ? I suppose  you  do  not  take  it  in 
a litteral  sense.” — “ Excuse  me,  Sir,”  says  Swift, 
devilishly  nettled  to  have  Scripture  ridiculed  by  any 


78 


HOSPITALITY. 


1742. 


but  himself ; — “ the  thing  is  quite  litteral,  I assure 
you ; and  the  plainest  case  in  the  world.  Balaam, 
Sir,  had  an  impediment  in  his  speech,  and  his  Ass 
spoke  for  him ! ” This  is  just  the  case  of  our  two 
Countrymen, — a Prophet  and  an  Ass  ! However,  they 
have  got  somebody  to  speak  for  them  both  for  Mini 
(Mann)  and  we  are  vastly  civil  to  them  ; and  Mini 
carrys  them  out  in  his  Coach  . . . And  now  my 
dear  Good  Sir,  if  I don’t  run  away  from  you  I shall 
lose  the  race ; and  you’ll  be  no  great  gainer  if 
I stay ; so  let  me  assure  you  I am  whatever  you 
please  I should  be.  The  Whitheds  kiss  the  Walpoles 
with  all  their  hearts.’ 


1742. 


THE  PRETENDER. 


79 


CHAPTER  III. 

1742. 

The  Pretender  lias  a passing  but  significant  notice  in 
July.  Walpole  addressed  a letter  to  Mann  on  June 
10th,  which  he  headed,  as  follows: — ‘June  10.  The 
Pretender’s  birth-day,  which,  by  the  way,  I believe  he 
did  not  expect  to  keep  at  Rome,  this  year ! ’ The  letter 
contains  nothing  of  importance,  and  Mann,  on  the 
15th  July,  after  complaining  that  Cardinal  Tencin 
had  detained  the  Courier  several  days  at  Genoa,  refers 
to  the  above  heading,  and  replies : ‘ I believe  that 
you  are  in  the  right  and  that  the  Hero  of  that  day  did 
not  expect  to  be  musing  in  a villa  at  Rome  ; however, 
whether  it  be  in  forty  two  or  forty  three,  the  difference 
is  not  great.  The  Cardinal  has  promised  it  shall  not 
be  put  off  longer.  He  is  gone  full  of  projects  and  has 
left  him  full  of  hopes.  No  persuasions  could  detain 
him,  though  his  surgeons  thought  a journey  might  be 
dangerous,  for  he  has  a Piega  apart  a ’ (an  open  wound). 
‘ His  motif  must  be  strong  to  risk  travelling  in  such  a 
condition.  Every  one  here  believes  he  has  hopes  of 
succeeding,  if  not  supplanting,  Cardinal  Fleury.’ 

July  1st. — £ Richecourt’s  character  was  so  publickly 
infamous,  that  nothing  but  the  considering  him  in  the 


80 


AT  TEE  TETIiAJA. 


1742. 


light  of  Lady  Walpole’s  favourite  could  have  sup- 
ported him  so  long.  Sturgiss  holds  forth  at  a blind 
coffee  house  (for  he  is  too  much  despised  to  venture  to 
show  himself  at  Pannoni’s),  and  vends  the  poor  lies 
that  he  and  his  Queen  received  from  some  of  the  Mer- 
chants at  Leghorn  ; but  believe  me  they  make  a most 
abject  figure.  Very  few  now  frequent  them ; no  ladies 
at  all ; nor  she  them.  . . . Sturgiss  was  so  idle  as  to 
promise  a young  fellow  of  the  Academy  to  get  him  a 
pair  of  colours,  in  England.’ 

July  1st. — ‘I  was  at  the  Petraja  when  the  first 
post  after  it  was  known  ’ (the  death  of  the  Primate  of 
Lorraine)  ‘ came  in  from  Paris.  The  Prince  came  to 
the  Princess  with  his  own  letters  and  said,  he  had 
received  many  on  the  occasion,  and  some  for  you,  ma 
mie.  “ Helas ! sans  doute,  il  y aura  cinquante  pour 
moy!” — “Non,  ma  mie  ; il  n’y  a que  deux  ; car,  ils  me 
prient  de  vous  faire  leurs  compliments ; ils  ne  vous 
ecrivent  pas  pour  ne  pas  renouveller  votre  douleur.” — 
“Helas ! voila  qui  est  bien,  ils  pensent  sagement.”  With 
all  this  she  is  dressed  out  as  gay  as  ever  and  receives 
company.  Madame  Sarasin  slips  out  first  to  tell 
folks  not  to  mention  a word  of  the  Primate  ! ’tis  such 
affectation  ! At  the  same  time  she  plays  at  cards, 
makes  love  with  M.  Antinori  and  everything  as  before. 
I carried  the  plan  of  Houghton.  “ Helas  ! Monsieur, 
vous  avez  infiniment  des  bontes  pour  moi,  en  tachant 
de  me  dissiper  dans  la  conjoncture  presente,  j’en  ai, 
je  vous  assure  bien  besoin  ! ” They  can  get  nobody  to 
stay  there  continually,  but  Sarasin  and  Santo  Maria.’ 
‘All  the  celebrations  of  St  John  have  passed  with- 
out anything  material  happening.  The  Opera  was 


1742. 


ENGLISH  S A llOBS. 


81 


performed  this  night  only,  though  even  then  Egizielo 
was  extreme  ill  and  sang  half  songs  ; the  poor  creature 
is  now  so  bad  with  a fever  con  Petecchie  ’ (spots  indi- 
cating malignant  fever)  £ that  his  life  is  despaired  of. 
He  has  been  blooded  four  times,  and  last  night  had  the 
Communion,  etc.,  so  that  it  is  much  more  likely  that 
he  should  sing  with  the  angels  than  with  the  vile  herd, 
the  Seni,  Ageta,  Eloi,  etc.  The  musick  was  abomi- 
nably bad.  They  are  seeking  out  for  somebody  to 
supply  his  place  and  have  thoughts  of  getting  Cares- 
terio,  but  I should  prefer  another  scheme  of  taking  a 
less  performer  and  putting  in  dances.  This  is  talked 
of,  and  Saufterre  proposed  it  with  a fine  company  that 
has  performed  at  Bologna.’ 

Since  England  had  taken  part  in  the  war,  the 
Spanish  cruisers  had  captured  no  less  than  450  British 
merchant  vessels  within  the  Channel  and  soundings  of 
the  British  coast.  Our  fleet  in  the  Mediterranean, 
after  being  commanded  by  Haddock  and  Lestock,  was 
placed  under  the  orders  of  Admiral  Matthews,  who  was 
further  dignified  by  being  appointed  Minister-pleni- 
potentiary to  the  King  of  Sardinia  and  the  States  of 
Italy.  One  of  the  Admiral’s  first  orders  was  given  to 
Captain  Norris  to  destroy  five  Spanish  Galleys  in  the 
Bay  of  St.  Tropez.  The  result  caused  a joyous  sen- 
sation among  the  English  and  the  friends  of  England, 
in  Florence.  On  July  6th,  Mann  writes  : — ‘ All  that  is 
known  of  this  action  here  is  contained  in  a letter  from 
some  seamen  at  Villa  Franca,  but  as  I don’t  understand 
their  language,  I have  desired  an  exact  translation  of 
it  in  English.  The  letter  says  that  Captain  Norris  (in 
company  witli  the  Spence  sloop,  and  the  Duke,  fire- 


VOL.  I. 


G 


82 


CAPTAIN  SMITH. 


1742. 


ship)  having  notice  that  the  Gallies  were  got  as  far  as 
St.  Tropez,  followed  them,  hut  had  possitive  orders 
not  to  attack  them  in  any  of  the  Ports  of  France  ; hut 
Captain  Norris,  going  too  near  the  Shoer,  was  fur- 
nished with  a sufficient  authority  for  what  he  did,  by 
the  Spaniards  firing  upon  him,  whereupon,  says  the 
letter,  “ he  immediately  brought  to  and,  clapping  a 
spring  on  his  cable,  gave  them  four  broadsides,  the 
Spence  sloop  doing  the  same,  which  put  them  in  great 
disorder,  so  that  the  Duke  fireship  was  immediately 
sent  in  and  burnt  the  whole  five  with  no  other  loss 
than  two  men  having  their  heads  shot  off.  The 
bravery  of  Captain  Smith  was  very  remarkable,  for 
after  having  clapt  the  Gallies  on  board  and  given  fire 
in  his  boat  to  the  train,  it  did  not  take  effect,  where- 
upon he  jumpt  into  the  ship  and  set  fire  to  the  whole 
body  of  combustibles,  whereby  he  had  a very  narrow 
escape,  for  the  force  of  the  flames  beat  him  into  his 
boat,  senseless  and  much  burnt.  What  the  enemy  lost 
is  not  known,  (here  you  are  to  understand,  .men,)  our 
ships  taking  no  further  notice  after  they  saw  them 
entirely  consumed.”  So  far  goes  the  letter  which  you 
see  still  leaves  room  for  a much  clearer  explanation,  as 
how  the  Spaniards  could  contrive  to  place  all  their 
five  Gallies  so  near  each  other  as  to  be  burnt  by  one 
fireship.  The  fact  is  indisputable,  though  ’tis  said  to 
be  impossible.’ 

July  8 th. — ‘We  are  deprived  of  all  publick  amuse- 
ments by  the  illness  of  Egizielo,  who,  however,  is 
recovering  apace,  and  will,  they  say,  be  able  to  sing 
the  10th  next  month.  He  is  so  gratefull  to  some 
Saint  that  has  cured  him,  that  he  has  wrote  to  Naples 


1742. 


A CHRISTENING. 


83 


for  a famous  Mass,  etc.,  which  he  will  have  performed 
in  a Church  here,  the  latter  end  of  this  month  with 
great  pomp,  the  whole  expense  of  which  he  is  to  he  at, 
and  will  perform  himself.  We  have  nothing  but  the 
bridge,  which  is  vastly  frequented,  and  it  is  extreme 
pleasant.  Do  you  remember  that  you  used  to  prole 
about  there  after  supper.  I wish  you  could  do  so  now  ! 

‘ The  fat  Flora,  Sposa  Rinuncini,  has  at  last  given 
an  heir  to  that  family,  a son  who  is  likely  to  live, 
whicli  has  given  great  joy.  He  was  made  a Chris- 
tian last  thursday,  with  all  the  Pomp  imaginable, 
though  no  Dame  but  Relations  wTere  invited  ; yet  there 
were  fourscore  in  great  Gala ; men  in  attendance,  but 
none  but  those  invited.  The  Electress  was  God- 
mother, (alone)  represented  by  Mine.  Siristori  in  the 
high  Court  fashion.  You  would  have  laughed  to  have 
seen  her  figure  ; but  the  choice  of  her  was  a compli- 
ment to  Casa  Rinuncini,  as  the  wife  of  the  first  Carica 
of  her  Court : I was  invited  in  form  and  went  in  my 
greatest  Gala,  your  charming  wastecoat  and  sleeves, 
which  is  admired  beyond  expression.  The  next  day  I 
put  on  my  dolefulls  again  to  go  to  the  little  Countess 
del  Berino’s,  who  is  in  great  grief  for  the  loss  of  her 
father,  Auditor  Vieri,  who  died  some  days  ago,  very 
oddly.  He  was  asleep  after  dinner,  about  19  hours,  a 
picture  fell  down,  in  the  next  room  to  him,  or  a glass 
which  was  thrown  down  and  broke.  The  noise  awoke 
him  and  frightened  him  so  much  that  it  caused  an 
immediate  stagnation  of  his  blood,  and  he  died  in  his 
full  senses  in  the  evening.  All  the  account  he  could 
give  of  it  was,  he  was  persuaded  it  was  an  earthquake, 
and  that  the  house  was  in  the  act  of  being  swallowed 


84 


SPOSO  AND  8P0SA. 


1742. 


up.  The  poor  Countess  has  reason  to  be  afflicted. 
Her  Father  almost  supported  her,  and  was  the  only  one 
that  could  keep  the  strangest  of  Bears,  her  husband, 
in  any  awe.  Delmonte  is  the  only  comfort  she  has  left. 

‘A  propos.  He  is  a Colonel  of  a regiment  of  Horse 
composed  out  of  the  Militia  which  he  has  newly 
raised  ; in  order  to  make  it  compleat,  he  was  forced  to 
harangue  to  poor  country  fellows,  and  thought  the 
best  argument  was  to  assure  them  they  should  never 
be  put  to  the  hardship  of  fighting  or  going  into  any 
Garrison.  He  said  the  Great  Duke  had  promised  it 
him.  ‘ E Cospetto  ! se  mi  manca  di  Parola  ! Cazzo  ! 
so  farmi  rendere  raggioni  anco  di  lui  ! Cazzo  ! ’ He  is 
kind  to  the  Countess,  and  that’s  enough. 

‘The  Sposa  Acciajoli  sets  out  to-morrow  with  all 
the  family  and  many  Cavalieri,  for  Loreto,  where  all 
the  relations  from  Rome  are  to  meet,  to  be  present  at 
the  wedding,  which  is  to  be  performed  under  the 
immediate  Eye  of  the  Virgin.  The  Madera  Sposo 
literally  can’t  speak  ten  words  of  Italian,  in  as  many 
months  as  he  has  been  here.  Her  fortune,  I am 
assured,  is  upwards  of  two  hundred  thousand  crowns ; 
I am  afraid  to  put  it  in  figures,  lest  you  should  think 
an  0 had  slid  in  supernumary ! ’ 

The  story  of  the  Acciajoli  lovers  was  repaid  by  a 
still  better  story  from  England.  ‘ You  have  no  notion,’ 
Walpole  wrote  to  Mann,  on  June  30th,  from  Downing 
Street, — that  official  residence  which  his  father  had 
not  yet  quitted,  and  which,  declining  to  receive  it  as  a 
gift  from  George  the  Second,  he  induced  the  King  to 
attach  to  the  office  of  First  Lord  of  the  Treasury, — 

‘ you  have  no  notion  how  I laughed  at  the  man  that 


1742. 


MONSIEUR  BE  BEAUVAU. 


85 


talks  nothing  but  Madeira.  I told  it  to  my  Lady 
Pomfret,  concluding  it  would  divert  her  too,  and 
forgetting  that  she  replies  when  she  should  laugh, 
and  reasons  when  she  should  be  diverted,  she  asked 
gravely  what  language  that  was.  “ That  Madeira 
being  subject  to  a European  Prince,  to  be  sure  they 
talk  some  European  dialect.”  The  grave  personage  ! 
It  was  of  a piece  with  her  saying  that  “ Swift 
would  have  written  better,  if  he  had  never  written 
ludicrously.”  ’ 

In  July,  1742,  a son  of  Prince  cle  Craon  was 
with  the  French  army,  which  had  taken  refuge  under 
the  cannon  of  Prague — ‘ they  are  all  to  be  cut  to 
pieces,’  writes  Mann,  ‘ by  the  Great  Duke  who  is 
gone  there  for  that  purpose.  I hope  he  will  spare 
your  friend,  M.  de  Beauvau,  out  of  respect  to  the 
memory  of  his  father.  The  Princess  had  almost  got 
over  the  loss  of  the  Primate,  when  this  evil  panick 
took  her,  which  with  the  bad  water  at  Petraja,  has 
thrown  her  into  most  violent  coliques  and  such  epuise- 
ments  that  she  cannot  keep  off  her  cradle.  I was 
there  yesterday  and  helped  to  place  her  pillows  right, 
in  order  to  receive  a Sienna  Lady,  for  the  first  time, 
with  all  the  state  of  convalescence.  There  was  a new 
set  of  pillows,  from  the  bigness  of  a snuff  box,  to  the 
common  size.’ 

July.  . . — ‘ We  staid  at  home  t’other  night  and  had 
by  way  of  a tryal,  a little  company  and  a little  musick 
in  the  Garden  ; a table  of  Quadrille,  and  another  of 
Micchiate,  and  some  Wanderers,  and  I believe  we 
shall  have  some  more  of  these  nights,  and  I may  ven- 
ture on  better  company  ; instead  of  the  Yitelli,  I may 


86 


CAVALIERS  AND  COACHMEN. 


1742. 


venture  to  ask  the  Griffoni  . . . The  Duke  of  New- 
castle has  most  graciously  condescended  to  recommend 
to  me  a Mr.  Sacht-hill  and  Cholwich  ’ (sic,  probably 
Walpole  understood  who  were  meant).  ‘ Y ou  may 
imagine  I do  what  I can  to  show  respect  to  such 
recommendation,  but  one  of  the  men  is  vastly  odd, 
indeed  almost  a driveler.  I drive  them  to-morrow  to 
Pratolero.  I had  almost  forgot  to  tell  you  that  at 
the  end  of  my  conversation  that  night,  when  only 
the  Suarases  were  left,  I distributed  all  my  necklaces 
that  were  left,  among  them.  The  mother  seized  the 
Emerald  ear-rings  and  hid  them  immediately.  I’ll 
swear  she  designs  to  pass  them  for  her  true  ones 
which  are  in  pawn/ 

July  22nd. — ‘The  weather  is  charming  here,  the 
nights  particularly,  but  an  ugly  accident  has  almost 
spoilt  fun  on  the  bridge  ; people  are  afraid  of  coach- 
men in  long  whips ; two  or  three  very  noisy  ones 
being  there  some  nights  ago,  cracking  their  whips  to 
the  annoyance  of  the  ladies  and  every  body  there, 
were  reprimanded  by  Cavaliere  Azzi,  an  extreme  good- 
natured  fat  man  whom  you  have  seen  frequently  play 
with  P.  Craon.  They  gave  him  in  return  some  very 
ill  language,  and  provoked  him  to  run  after  them  with 
his  sword  drawn.  When  he  had  got  to  the  end  of 
the  Via  Maggio,  they  all  pelted  him  with  stones,  and 
knocked  him  down,  and  then  came  up  to  him  and 
beat  him  most  horridly  with  their  whips  and  stamped 
upon  him  and  then  made  off,  leaving  the  poor  man  half 
dead  and  most  dangerously  wounded  in  his  head,  with 
bruises  all  over  him.  Some  fellows  that  were  suspected 
are  got  into  churches,  and  others  out  of  the  town.’ 


1742. 


SCANDAL. 


87 


In  what  Mann  calls  Walpole’s  Midsummer  Letter, 
the  writer  told  the  Minister  at  Florence  a bit  of 
Florentine  scandal,  to  the  following  effect : — ‘ The 
Italian,  (Ceretani)  who  I told  you  was  here,  has  let 
me  into  a piece  of  secret  history  which  you  never 
mentioned ; perhaps  it  is  not  true ; but  he  says,  the 
mighty  mystery  of  the  Count’s  (Richecourt’s)  elope- 
ment from  Florence,  was  occasioned  by  a letter  from 
Wachtendonck,’  (the  Queen  of  Hungary’s  General  at 
Leghorn,)  ‘ which  was  so  impertinent  as  to  talk  of 
satisfaction  for  some  affront.  The  great  Count,  very 
wisely,  never  answered  it,- — his  life  to  be  sure  is  of  too 
great  importance  to  be  trusted  at  the  end  of  a rash 
German’s  sword.  However,  the  General  wrote  again, 
and  hinted  at  coming  himself  for  an  answer.  So  it 
happened  that  when  he  arrived,  the  Count,  had  gone 
to  the  Baths  at  Lucca*;  those  waters  were  reckoned 
better  for  his  health  than  steel  in  the  abstract.  How 
oddly  it  happened ! He  just  returned  to  Florence  as 
the  General  was  dead  ! Now  was  not  this  heroic  lover 
worth  coming  after  ? I wonder,  as  the  Count  must 
have  known  my  lady’s’  (Lady  Walpole’s)  ‘ courage  and 
genius  for  adventures,  that  he  never  thought  of  putting 
her  into  man’s  clothes,  and  sending  her  to  answer  the 
challenge.  How  pretty  it  would  have  been  to  have 
fought  for  one’s  lover  ! And  how  great  the  obligation 
when  he  durst  not  fight  for  himself  ! ’ 

£ What  a strange  story  has  your  Italian  told  you,’ 
writes  Mann,  in  reply,  July  22nd.  £ There  is  the  least 

truth  in  it  imaginable.  What  he  jumbles  together  is 
this.  When  the  present  Nuncio  Archiuto  came 
here,  he  was  entertained  by  the  Earl  ’ (Count  Riche- 


88 


A YOUNG  ENGLISH  GENTLEMAN. 


1742. 


court)  £ who,  to  amuse  him  told  him  a long  story  of 
Wachtendonck,  as  how  some  time  before,  he  had,  under 
pretence  of  visiting  the  Passes  in  the  mountains,  to 
prevent  an  enemy  passing,  disguised  himself  in  a 
black  wig  and  corked  eye-brows,  when  lo  ! it  was  to 
meet  an  antient  love,  by  name  the  Princess  Trielzi, 
with  whom  he  spent  two  days  in  a little  house  on 
the  mountains  ; and  who  should  that  lady  be  but  the 
very  sister  to  the  Monsignore  he  was  entertaining. 
The  Primate  was  at  the  dinner,  and  endeavoured  by 
treading  on  the  Earl’s  toes  and  many  other  ways,  to 
prevent  his  going  on,  but  to  no  purpose ! The  thing 
had  never  any  suite,  and  the  Heroes  in  question  had 
seen  each  other,  both  here  and  at  Leghorn,  fifty  times 
before  the  Ear]  left  Florence,  the  true  cause  of  which 
was  his  being  some  time  in  disgrace  with  his  Highness, 
brought  about  by  many,  chiefly  by  a Maid  of  Honour 
to  the  Queen,  cousin  to  Wachtendonck  ; but  as  soon 
as  his  Highness  went  to  the  army,  he  made  up  matters 
again.’ 

As  a sample  of  the  religion  and  philosophy  and 
refinement  of  a fine  young  English  gentleman,  lotos- 
eating at  Florence,  at  this  time,  a letter  from  Mr 
Chute  (who  with  his  brother  resided  near  Mann)  will 
afford  an  extract  or  two. 

Florence,  July  29th. — ‘ By  a Circumstance  of  good 
Fortune,  which  I no  more  comprehend  than  I deserve 
it,  I am  in  possession  of  two  charming  letters  of  yours, 
as  yet  unanswered.  I say,  good  Fortune,  because  my 
conscience  assures  me  I don’t  owe  them  to  what  I most 
naturally  might,  the  neglect  of  acknowledging  any 
one  of  your  Favours  — that’s  a silly  word  and  smells 


1742. 


MB.  CHUTE’S  LETTER. 


89 


of  Goose  and  Sausages ! . . . Sometimes  I think  or 
rather  fancy  that  you  have  mistaken  one  of  our 
Dear  Mini’s  (Mann’s)  for  one  of  mine,  and  that  ac- 
counts for  your  loving  me  so  much  better  than  I 
deserve.  I love  the  thought.  Why  may  it  not  be  so  ? 
We  are  three  Persons  in  one  mind,  and  what  more 
natural  than  a little  confusion  about  our  Operations  ! 
Forgive  me  this  once  for  independently  figuring  into 
the  place  of  the  Dearly  Beloved.  I am  fully  sensible 
I am  nothing  but  proceeding,  and  as  fully  contented 
with  my  station ; in  my  opinion,  you  have  more  merit 
than  if  you  had  begotten  me. 

‘Now  which  of  your  charming  Letters  shall  I speak 
to  First.  Jesus  ! if  all  terms  are  too  common  to  ex- 
press your  Friendship,  what  can  be  particular  enough 
for  my  Gratitude  ? If  I might  but  once  express  it,  I 
would  be  content  to  be  the  oldest  fellow  breathing 
ever  after.  . . . Dear  Sir,  you  can’t  think  how  it 
pleases  me  that  I made  you  laugh  so ; that  is,  that  I 
made  you  happy ; for  every  man’s  happy  while  he 
laughs ; ’tis  the  Philosopher’s  Stone,  the  universal 
Medium,  the  Summum  Bonum  while  it  lasts,  and  I 
should  scarcely  give  the  preference  to  a Turkish 
Paradise,  if  I had  my  choice  to  laugh  to  all  Eternity ; 
nay,  ’tis  a Christian  one,  for  what’s  the  reverse  of 
weeping  and  wailing  and  nashing  ? (sic).  Why,  un- 
doubtly,  laughing  and  giggling  and  cracking  the  sides  ! 
Lord,  T didn’t  think  I was  good  for  so  much,  and 
the  poor  Primate  ought  (if  possible)  to  be  in  Heaven, 
for  lea  vino-  us  the  occasion.  In  the  mind  I am  in,  if 
you  were  a King,  guess  what  Post  I would  choose 
under  you  ! Not  your  Prime  Minister  ; for  I want 


90 


FOOLING. 


1742. 


capacity,  love  ease  and  hate  the  Inquisition  ; nor  your 
General,  for  I should  never  see  the  Danger  till  I had 
lost  my  Breeches’  (allusion  to  the  capture  of  Marechal 
de  Broglie’s  baggage,  at  Prague)  ; ‘ not  for  Archbishop, 
for  I can’t  swear  and  stare  for  what  I don’t  believe  a 
word  of ; — besides  an  Archbishop  is  a sort  of  a Prime 
Minister,  too.  No,  I would  be  nothing  of  all  their 
fine  things,  but  you  should  revive  an  ancient  laudable 
usage  in  my  Favour,  and  make  me  your  good  Majestie’s 
Fool.  Lord  ! ’t would  be  vastly  pretty,  and  Dear  Mini 
should  be  your  Plenipo,  and  have  a peace  to  make 
with  Prussia.  We  would  hang  him  round  with  Blue 
and  Green  and  red  Ribbons,  and  I’d  make  you  laugh 
at  those  who  doubted  if  he  deserved  them.  Now, 
Dear  Sir,  let  me  hear  from  you  often;  you  would  make 
me  happy  even  though  you  were  to  copy  Tom  Thumb. 
I won’t  print  you  in  the  J est  Book,  but  I believe  I shall 
bind  you  and  letter  you  with  Gold.  Mr.  Walpole’s 
Tom  Thumb  ; Mr.  Walpole’s  Jack  the  Giant  Killer, 
Pilgrim’s  Progress,  etc.,  and  you  shall  stand  in  my 
Library  in  the  Post  of  Honour.’ 

July  2 9th. — ‘ The  Countess  del  Bellino  came  here 
this  morning  to  say  how  sorry  she  was  she  could  not 
come  here  to-morrow  night.  I am  to  have  all  the 
town  in  my  garden,  and  all  the  musick  I can  get  to 
entertain  them,  and  Copiosi  rinfreschi  to  feed  them. 
I can’t  tell  you  their  names,  and  the  number,  yet,  for 
it  is  no  invitation.  The  first  I spoke  to  about  it  was 
told  that  other  ladies  having  promised  to  take  the  air 
in  my  garden,  instead  of  on  the  Ponte,  she  was  desired 
to  come  too,  and  so  on.  Twelve  or  fourteen  have  been 
sent  to  by  Madam  Suares  who  directs,  with  the  same 


1742. 


COMPANY  AT  MANN’S. 


91 


message,  and  to  desire  they  will  bring  their  friends. 
I,  in  discourses,  have  spoke  to  others ; so  that  I 
reckon  the  number  will  be  large.  I will  tell  you  how 
it  is  to  be. 

‘ A great  large  table  is  to  be  placed  in  the  middle 
of  the  garden,  with  many  lights,  for  about  20  Suona- 
tori  of  diverse  sorts.  All  the  alleys  will  be  lined 
with  Chairs  and  Benches,  but  no  lights  in  any  other 
parts  of  the  garden,  which  I am  told  will  please, 
per  il  commodo  delle  Cicisbeatore.  The  Hall  is  to 
be  well  lighted  and  the  whole  row  of  rooms,  the 
windows  of  which  are  made  into  doors  so  that  the 
walk  under  the  orange  trees  will  receive  light  from 
them.  This  is  allowed  to  be  better  than  sticking  a 
light  in  every  orange  tree,  or  a torch  at  the  end  of 
the  walks  which,  if  the  wind  did  not,  I should  expect 
would  be  blown  out  by  those  who  prefer  moonlight 
to  artificial  (sic).  There’s  nothing  that  pleases  so 
much  in  this  country  as  a Cocchiata’  (originally  a 
serenade  listened  to  from  carriages)  £in  a garden. 
Everybody  is  in  expectation  of  it,  and  I don’t  doubt 
but  I shall  be  commended.  If  the  Crimine  di  Purga- 
torio  had  not  disappointed  old  Riccardi,  when  he  spent 
much  in  Masses  to  engage  them  to  send  him  a fine 
night  on  the  like  occasion,  I might  have  been  tempted 
to  have  laid  out  some  Pauls  to  have  been  sure  of  a 
fine  evening.  If  the  wind  blows,  it  will  drive  us  all 
in  doors,  and  then  we  must  ride  on  each  other’s  backs, 
for  there  won’t  be  room  for  half  the  company. 

‘ I forgot  to  tell  you  that  some  of  the  ladies  have 
asked  leave  to  come  in  constuccios’  (?)  ‘so  that  that 
was  added  to  the  message  of  invitation.  Mme.  Griffoni 


92 


WAR  BULLETINS. 


1742. 


has  lent  me  all  her  ( illegible ),  and  will  leave  her  sister 
Antinori  to  come,  though  she  was  brought  to  bed  of 
a son  two  days  ago. 

‘ . . . I would  not  for  the  world  avoid  telling  you 
that  the  letters  bring  notice  this  instant  from  Bologna 

that Lord ! I forgot  to  tell  you  that  the  Miran- 

dola  surrendered  the  22nd,  on  the  only  conditions 
that  were  granted  them, — Prisoners  of  War,- — and 
this  was  necessary  to  introduce  what  the  Bologna 
letters  say, — that  the  King  of  Sardinia  and  M.  de 
Traun  were  at  a little  place  called  Ponte  di  Nero,  a 
very  small  distance  from  Bologna,  with  30,000  men, 
that  eight  great  Bolognese  were  sent  to  compliment 
his  Majesty,  and  four  to  M.  Traun,  attended  by 
presents  and  refreshments  of  all  sorts.  The  Austro- 
Sards  were  marching  forced  marches  to  intercept  the 
Neapoli-Spani,  and  prevent  perhaps  their  retiring 
into  the  Kingdom  of  Naples.  They  will  oblige  them 
perhaps  to  retire  and  so  strengthen  them,  prodi- 
giously. Did  I ever  tell  you  that  Montemar  gave 
7 zecchini  to  every  deserter  from  the  King  of  Sar- 
dinia’s army  ? And  many  they  have  been.  Is  it  not 
unaccountable  how  they  go  on  making  such  expenses?’ 

‘All  the  letters  mention  how  extremely  surprised  the 
Court  of  Spain  was  to  hear  of  Modena’s  being  taken, 
as  a Courier  arrived  at  Madrid  a little  before  to  say 
that  such  a day  Montemar  was  to  march  to  succour 
it.  The  burning  of  the  Galleys  has  alarmed  them  as 
much,  for  according  to  their  accounts,  those  Galleys 
were  to  have  brought  up  the  great  artillery  with 
which  the  Spanish  Admiral  promised  to  force  his 
passage.’ 


1742. 


PLEASURES. 


93 


‘ Tlie  Court  of  Naples  is  frightened  out  of  its  little, 
very  little,  senses ; and  is  as  much  afraid  of  the 
Neapolitans  and  some  Ghost  of  Massaniello  as  of 
the  English  fleet  or  the  Austro -Sards.  It  is  affirmed 
that  most  of  their  precious  matters  have  been  sent 
away  to  Rome.  The  little  Queen  swears  she  won’t 
stay  at  Naples.’ 

August  5 tli. — ‘ I would  have  given  anything  that 
you  had  been  here  last  Monday,  at  the  Cocchiata. 
Mr.  Chute  and  I said  so  twenty  times.  Madame 
Griffoni  said  she  was  sure  you  would  have  been  vastly 
pleased.  “ Yes,  Madame,”  said  I,  “I  am  so  well  con- 
vinced of  it  that  I am  persuaded  he  would  have  had 
it  repeated  once  a week  during  the  fine  weather.  The 
evening  was  charming,  very  dark,  without  the  least 
wind.  The  lights  up  and  down  the  garden  had  the 
prettiest  effect  immaginable.  Those  in  the  middle, 
for  the  Musick,  were  quite  hid  by  the  crowds  that 
pressed  about  the  table.  This  I would  have  remedied, 
but  ’twas  impossible,  for  though  there  were  benches, 
chairs,  and  stools  for  300,  there  were  not  near  enough. 
I can  neither  tell  you  the  number  nor  the  names  of 
the  Dame.  I gave  strickt  orders  to  the  Porter,  to 
write  them  down.  He  soon  found  he  could  not  write 
fast  enough,  so  would  have  contented  himself  with 
counting  them  only  ; but  this  too  he  was  forced  to 
give  up,  for  when  he  came  to  75,  such  shoals  came 
in  together  that  he  lost  his  number.  Mme.  Suares 
says  that  there  were  close  to  160  Dame,  which  I don’t 
believe  ; Cavalieri  innumerable,  which  I do  believe, 
by  the  number  of  rinfreschi,  1240  jars!  Everybody 
was  extremely  well  pleased,  and  it  still  serves  for 


94 


PROSPECTS  OF  TUSCANY. 


1742. 


conversation ; but,  would  you  believe  it  ? because  it 
was  on  a monday  night,  our  former  day,  many  took 
it  into  their  head  that  it  was  to  be  continued. 

‘The  Opera  is  begun  again.  Egiziello  is  quite 
recovered,  and  sung  most  charmingly ; though,  not  to 
fatigue  himself,  he  sang  only  half  airs.  To  night 
perhaps  he  may  add  their  second  parts. 

‘We  have  got  off  the  party  the  Prince  proposed, 
by  going  there  last  Friday,  early.  He  carried  us  to 
Gastello  and  some  little  places  about.  We  got  away 
at  24  hours.  The  Princess  was  quite  abominable  with 
her  lassitudes  and  epuisements,  and  will  not  be  in  a 
good  humour  till  Prague  is  taken  and  her  Son  safe. 

‘ We  are  told  not  to  expect  the  taking  of  Prague 
till  this  day  sennight,  unless  something  extraordinary 
should  happen.  They  talk  of  great  dissensions  since 
91’  (the  Grand  'Duke  of  Tuscany)  ‘arrived  there. 
His  brother  ’ (Prince  Charles  of  Lorraine)  ‘ did  so 
well  and  is  so  extremely  beloved  that  most  people  are 
persuaded  matters  cannot  be  mended  by  the  former’s 
arrival.  I wish  with  all  my  heart  there  was  any  way 
to  come  to  the  knowledge  of  what  may  be  designed 
with  regard  to  42’  (Tuscany).  ‘You  cannot  conceive 
what  a pleasure  they  would  have  if  91  was  to  resign 
to  his  brother  (whom  call  15)  and  nobody  would 
blame  them.  Surely  it  would  be  the  interest  of  130  ’ 
(England)  ‘and  others  to  have  42’  (Tuscany)  ‘separate 
and  not  dependent  either  on  86  ’ (Germany)  ‘or  168  ’ 
(Spain)  ‘ or  any  other.  Even  the  Orsi  ’ (the  Spanish 
faction  in  Tuscany)  ‘would  rejoice,  but  they  cannot 
bear  91,  or  his  ways,  nor  can  flatter  themselves  (for 
interest  sake,  only)  that  he  will  or  can  reside  among 


1742. 


ALARM  AT  NAPLES. 


95 


them.  This  makes  them  foresee  much  misery  if  130, 
who  in  all  probability  has  the  power,  was  to  put  15 
on  the  first  foot  here  (ancl  somewhere  he  must  be 
placed).  It  would  be  esteemed  next  to  giving  42  its 
full  liberty,  nay  I believe  preferred  to  it,  for  they 
would  not  know  how  to  settle  that  matter  now.  It 
would  be  a pity  that  this  should  be  totally  neglected, 
both  for  the  sake  of  making  Tuscany  happy,  and  the 
real  interest  of  England.  If  you  can  hear  anything 
about  it,  pray  inform  me. 

‘ By  the  last  accounts  from  the  armies,  M.  de  Mon- 
temar  was  running  away  as  fast  as  possible,  and  the 
King  of  Sardinia  running  after  him,  though  not  so 
fast  as  these  people  could  run.  The  former  was  near 
Rimini,  where  some  suppose  he  will  fortify  himself, 
whilst  others  believe  he  will  retire  into  the  Kingdom 
of  Naples.  The  King  of  Sardinia  and  M.  de  Traun 
were  near  Faenze,  and  may  before  this  have  been  up 
with  them  if  they  are  stopt  at  Rimini.  All  agree 
that  Castropignero  ’ (?)  ‘ is  undoubtedly  to  go  imme- 
diately with  his  Neapolitans  to  Naples,  and  that  for 
several  days  together  he  received  couriers  with  re- 
peated orders.  There  is  infinite  confusion  there,  and 
their  Majesties  are  not  a little  alarmed.  Their  ministers 
pretend  to  know  for  certain  that  an  100  chaises  are  in 
constant  readiness  to  transport  the  Court  to  Rome, 
and  that  the  Queen  has  declared  that  she  will  not  go 
to  Spain.  This  month,  in  all  probability,  will  decide 
matters  wonderfully,  especially  if  what  they  say  be 
true,  that  the  Great  Duke  of  Tuscany  will,  after  he 
has  put  an  end  to  the  present  affair  in  hand,  set  out 
for  Florence,  in  order  to  go  to  Naples.  Directions 


96 


A VALET  IN  TROUBLE. 


1742. 


came  last  week  to  compleat  with  all  haste  and  privacy 
many  things  necessary  to  put  this  scheme  in  execution, 
though  Richecourt  won’t  own  a word  of  it  to  me.  . . 

‘ They  talk  of  a number  of  men  actually  in  March 
for  Trieste.  The  names  of  the  regiments  have  been 
told  me,  amounting  between  horse  and  foot  to  about 
11,000  men.  These  may  from  thence  go  to  Naples 
with  the  English  Fleet.  They  say  ’tis  settled  so.  The 
King  of  Sardinia  to  be  sure  will  come  in  for  his  share. 

‘A  most  woeful  accident  has  befallen  poor  Mr. 
Whithed,  whose  valet  de  chambre,  Ferrari,  has  robbed 
him  of  some  money  and  pawned  all  his  winter  Cloaths, 
— some  too  have  been  sold,  and  what  afflicts  us  all 
still  worse  is  that  things  have  been  carried  so  far  that 
it  will  now  be  difficult  to  pardon  him  or  save  him 
from  the  Gallies.  He  was  put  into  the  common  jail 
last  Wednesday,  and  by  that  step  delivered  over  to 
the  Justice  of  the  country.  We  hope  to  be. able  to 
save  him  from  all  punishment  but  banishment. 

e I forgot  to  tell  you  that  I have  been  blamed  by 
those  who  are  not  acquainted  with  my  reasons,  for  not 
inviting  Lady  Walpole  to  the  musick.  None  were 
invited,  but  if  they  had,  what  measures  need  I keep 
with  one  who  keeps  none  with  those  I respect,  or 
me.’ 

The  description  of  Mann’s  gay  doings  brought  back 
the  memory  of  old  pleasures  to  Walpole.  In  a letter 
from  Houghton,  August  20th,  1742,  he  writes: — ‘As 
much  as  I am  obliged  to  you  for  the  description  of 
your  Cocchiata,  I don’t  like  to  hear  of  it.  It  is  veiy 
unpleasant,  instead  of  being  at  it,  being  prisoner  in  a 
melancholy,  barren  province,  which  would  put  one 


1742. 


GRATITUDE. 


97 


in  mind  of  the  Deluge,  only  that  we  have  no  water. 
Do  remember  exactly  how  your  last  was,  for  I intend 
that  you  shall  give  me  just  such  another  Cocchiata 
next  summer,  if  it  pleases  the  Kings  and  Queens  of 
this  world  to  let  us  be  at  peace,  “For  it  rests  that 
without  fig-leaves,”  as  my  Lord  Bacon  says  in  one  of 
his  letters,  “I  do  ingenuously  confess  and  acknow- 
ledge that  I like  nothing  so  well  as  Italy.”  7 

Walpole’s  gifts  there  were  warmly  acknowledged. 
The  Princess  du  Craon  was  no  less  profuse  in  epithets 
magniloquently  grateful  to  Walpole  by  post,  than  she 
had  been  to  Mann  by  word  of  mouth.  ‘ I have  just 
now  received  yours  of  the  15th  July,’  writes  Walpole, 
‘with  a married  letter  from  both  Prince  and  Princess 
Craon,  but  sure  nothing  ever  equalled  the  setting  out 
of  it.  She  says  : “ The  generosity  of  your  friendship 
for  me,  Sir,  leaves  me  nothing  to  desire  of  all  that  is 
precious  in  England,  China,  and  the  Indies.”  Do  you 
know,’  he  adds  by  way  of  bantering  comment  on  this 
burst  from  Florence,  ‘ after  such  a testimony  from  the 
hand  of  a Princess,  that  I am  determined  after  the 
laudable  example  of  the  House  of  Medici  to  take  the 
title  of  Horo.ce  the  Magnificent.  I am  only  afraid  it 
should  be  a dangerous  example  for  my  posterity,  who 
may  ruin  themselves  in  emulating  the  magnificence  of 
their  Ancestors.’ 


VOL.  I. 


H 


98 


AMATEUR  CONCERTS. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

1742. 

The  Autumn  of  this  year  affords  strong  contrasts  in 
the  Minister’s  Chronicle.  The  ball  rooms  of  Florence 
were  not  the  less  gay  for  the  roar  and  devastation  of 
battle  elsewhere. 

August  12th. — ‘ For  want  of  room  last  post,  I 
omitted  telling  you  of  our  concert.  Arrigoni  has  set 
it  on  foot.  There  are  16  Cavalieri  who  pay  about  a 
Zecchino  a month.  I could  not  refuse  subscribing,  as 
he  was  Molly’s  master.  The  subscribers  may  transport 
it  to  their  own  houses.  I was  the  first  to  invite  it  to 
mine ; and  at  the  same  time  8 ladies  only  and  their 
Cicisbeos,  with  about  12  Scotchmen  and  some  few 
Cavalieri.  It  was  performed  in  the  Hall.  As  many 
of  the  subscribers  are  likewise  performers,  the  Ladies 
may  sing,  and  will,  they  say,  the  very  next  time. 
There  was  Madame  Griffoni, — because  she  is  the  finest 
woman  in  Florence,  and  whom  you  would  have  asked. 
There  was  little  Albizzi,  for  the  latter  part  of  the 
above  reason,  and  because  she  brings  little  Colonel 
Pandolfini,  who  did  sing  most  agreeably.  There  was 
M.  Bagneri,  who  can  sing  finely,  but  would  not 
because  Guido  is  very  ill.  There  was  Madame  Gerini, 


1742. 


DIVERS  AND  SUNDRY. 


99 


because  she  is  a good  fat  creature  and  brings  the 
Countess  Marcolini,  a foreigner  who  sings  most  admi- 
rably, but  would  not  that  night,  because  the  others  did 
not.  Then  there  came  the  three  Suareses,  because 
they  have  a right  you  know,  to  come.  The  Yittorina 
will  sing  next  time,  and  Cecco  will  play  upon  both  the 
fine  flutes  you  sent  him. 

‘The  thing  was  private  but  pretty  enough,  and  all 
were  well  pleased.  I may  have  it  again  whenever 
I please.  The  Chutes  are  both  subscribers.  I have 
promised  for  the  benefit  of  the  Accademia  to  get  from 
England  Handel’s  overtures  and  Corelli’s  concertos, 
and  in  return  I’ll  send  you  all  the  pretty  airs  I can 
get.’ 

‘ . . . The  Spaniards  are,  they  say,  still  at  Eimini ; 
though  some  believe  they  begin  to  advance.  The 
King  of  Sardinia  and  M.  de  Traun  were,  by  the 
accounts  of  yesterday,  still  at  Cerina  and  its  environs. 
They  say  these  are  to  march  on,  though  most  people 
are  surprised  that  they  have  not  already.  The  ardour 
of  M.  de  Traun  is  curbed  by  the  prudence  of  his 
Sardinian  Majesty. 

‘ . . . Mrs.  Gold  worthy  sets  out  from  Leghorn,  next 
week,  for  England.  She  will  persecute  the  Richmonds 
to  intercede  for  her  husband.  Sir  Charles  (Wager) 
will  do  what  he  can  ; so  would  I too  to  provide  for 
them  better  out  of  Italy,  that  they  might  abandon  all 
thoughts  of  Florence. 

‘ . . . Prince  Craon,  by  his  own  invitation,  dined 
with  me  last  Thursday.  He  is  at  the  Petraja,  so  begs 
dinners  every  thursday,  the  days  of  Council.  He 
named  his  company,  Camilla  Capponi,  Buondelmonte, 


100 


MANN,  NEGLECTED. 


1742. 


Antinori,  and  de  Sade.  There  was  besides,  Mr.  Gold- 
worthy and  his  friend  who  came  to  Florence  at  two 
o’clock  that  morning,  not  being  able  to  bear  Leghorn 
without  his  Deary ; so  he  is  come  to  me  as  his  next 
deary,  to  comfort  him.  He  is  lodged  with  me.  Of 
what  length  his  visit  will  be,  I cannot  yet  judge. 
There  were  the  Chutes,  etc.  A propos,  Mr.  Chute 
insists  on  your  pointing  out  to  him,  the  exact  room 
you  inhabit  at  Houghton,  that  we  may  tap  at  the 
window  and  peep  in  on  you  and  Pattipan  ’ (Walpole’s 
dog).  ‘ My  dear  child,  what  will  you  do  at  Houghton? 
I foresee  you’ll  never  stay  there,  and  yet  by  the  plan  I 
think  one  might  live  there  for  ever.’ 

‘ . . . I have  been  swelling  with  indignation 
against  Richecourt  for  a long  time,  as  he  has  seemed 
to  take  all  opportunities  to  revenge  Lady  Walpole’s 
quarrels,  and  indeed,  in  things  that  regard  business  or 
recommendations,  seemed  to  make  it  a rule  to  cross  me 
in  everything  ; in  so  much  that  in  this  affair  of  Mr. 
Whithed’s  servant,  whom  now  we  want  to  save  from 
hanging  on  the  Gallows,  and  in  which  I had  publickly 
interested  myself  so  as  to  go  to  all  their  houses  to  beg 
him  off,  he  alone  in  Council  opposed  the  strong  argu- 
ments that  the  Prince  Craon,  Braitwitz,  etc.  etc.  made, 
to  shew  the  regard  that  might  be  shewn  to  my  recom- 
mendation ; so  that  it  gave  occasion  afterwards  to  Brait- 
witz to  ask  Rinuncini  what  could  the  reason  be  that  so 
soon  as  my  name  was  mentioned  either  in  publick  or 
private  affairs,  Richecourt  seemed  to  have  made  it 
a point  to  oppose  me,  to  which  Rinuncini  and  Torna- 
quira  answered  that  they  had  remarked  it  too, — that 
great  regards  had  indeed  been  used  to  be  shewn  to  the 


1742. 


MANN  AND  RICHECOURT. 


101 


recommendations  of  ministers,  but  that  nobody  doubted 
but  Lady  Walpole  was  the  occasion  of  it  all.  This 
you  will  believe  nettled  me,  and  made  me  resolve  to 
take  the  first  opportunity  to  shew  how  little  I regarded 
Richecourt  or  Lady  Walpole’s  favour. 

‘I  did  not  foresee  it  would  be  soon,  but  the  same 
evening,  after  I had  received  the  letters  from  England, 
I went  to  the  Electress  to  wish  her  joy  of  being  the 
next  day  75  years  old.  Richecourt  was  with  her  and 
waited  my  coming  out,  to  ask  what  news  from  England. 
I shewed  him  the  King’s  speech  and  then  told  him 
the  changes.  I knew  I had  him,  but  could  not  believe 
he  would  give  me  such  fair  opportunities.  “ Mon  Dieu, 
est  il  possible,”  dit  il,  “ qu’il  ait  fait  cette  demarche  ? ” 
— “ Why,  not  ? Surely,  you  are  not  acquainted  at  all 
with  affairs.  What ! do  you  think  what  he  and  they 
have  been  working  so  long  for  is  not  good  for  your 
school  ? ’’ — “ Comment  vont  les  affaires  cle  Sir  Robert 
Walpole  ? ” Here  I had  him.  “ Why,  as  every  one  who 
knew  him  well  was  persuaded  they  must  go,  if  they 
did  him  justice ; ” — I could  not  conceal  from  him  my 
surprise  that  many  here  had  been  so  indiscreet  as  to 
talk  so  freely  about  things  they  could  not  understand. 

‘ Here  he  began  to  give  me  the  definition  of  our 
government  of  King,  Lords,  and  Commons,  which 
strangers  could  not  indeed  comprehend.  “ How  great, 
therefore,”  said  I,  “ must  be  their  malice  or  impudence 
to  talk  as  they  publickly  did.  Had  it  been  confined 
to  the  people,  I should  not  have  been  surprised ; but 
that  people  of  an  higher  rank  should  have  encouraged 
it,  nay,  talked  so,  was  astonishing.”  Here  he  blushed 
and  was  uneasy,  and  then  argued  some  time  on  the 


102 


MANN  AND  RICRE  COURT. 


1742. 


nature  of  common  reports,  and  that  we  must  not 
credit  all  that  is  said  ; and  most  luckily  he  happened 
to  add  that  he  could  not  pretend  to  say  whence  they 
proceeded.  “Je  ne  vous  le  demande  pas,”  said  I 
abruptly,  “ that  is  the  easiest  part  of  the  discovery. 
I know  the  Source,  and  both  you  and  I know  that 
clear  waters  cannot  come  from  it.  It  is  surprising,” 
continued  I,  “ that  people  about  here  do  not  first 
doubt  of  the  truth  of  all  she’  (Lady  Walpole)  ‘says. 
Such  low  malice  to  seek  out  old  vile  satyrs 1 (against 
Sir  Robert)  ‘ to  get  translated  into  Italian.  It  could 
not  be  for  her  own  use,”  said  I,  “ who  could  they 
be  done  for  ? ” “ Mauvaise  Poesie  ! je  n’en  s§ais  rien,” 
quite  confused.  “ I’ll  shew  it  you  in  Italian,”  said 
I,  “ if  you  will,  in  the  original  handwriting  of  the 
translator.”  (It  had  been  brought  me  but  two  days 
before.  One  Pasquale  is  the  Poet,  but  he  does  not 
understand  English  ; so  I conclude  it  was  translated 
into  Italian  prose  by  Lady  Walpole  and  her  friend.) 
“ Indeed,  indeed,”  said  I,  “it  is  not  enough  not  to 
encourage,  but  such  insolences  ought  to  be  discouraged. 
Reflect  how  respectfuil  a name  is  ill  used  ; one  on 
whom  the  King  has  conferred  the  highest  honours  to 
reward  his  services,  and,  if  all  that  was  not  enough,  it 
was  insufferable  here,  as  it  was  a person  for  whom  the 
Great  Duke  had  professed  a personal  friendship.” 

‘ A thousand  other  things  I said  in  the  heat  of  my 
discourse,  as  “the  joy  that  some  folks  (for  I never  named 
Lady  Walpole  but  as  a third  person)  had  shewn  on 
the  certainty  they  were  in  of  Sir  Robert’s  being  to  be 
beheaded ; and  to  crown  all,”  said  I,  “ do  you  know 
what  scandal  they  have  employed  at  last  ? c’est  verita- 


1742. 


ENGLISH  FLEET. 


103 


blement  impitoyable  ! (though  I knew  it  came  from 
him  and  them  that  Sir  Robert  had  spent  vast  sums  to 
get  clear.)  Whom  must  he  have  bribed?”  said  I,  “such 
and  such  a one,  much  richer  than  himself  ? ” — “ Ca  est 
vrai.  Ah,  Monsieur,  il  faut  mepriser  tout  cela  ! ” — “Oh, 
Monsieur  ! ” said  I,  “ ce  n’est  pas  a cette  heure  que  je 
commence  a le  faire  ! ” 

e What  think  you  of  this  dialogue  ? It  lasted  a 
long  while  in  the  Electress’s  antechamber  and  all  down 
the  stairs  to  our  Coaches.  His  carried  him  to  his 
Deary’s,  to  give  an  account,  I don’t  doubt,  of  so  un- 
expected a conversation  ; and  mine  carried  me,  much 
easier  than  I had  been  for  a long  time,  to  the  Opera, 
to  hear  Egiziello,  and  to  brag  to  the  Chutes,  between 
whiles,  of  what  I had  done.  I must  expect  that  all 
this  malice  combined  will  be  set  to  work  to  ruin  me.  ’ 

August  19 th. — ‘ Admiral  Matthews  rides  triumph- 
ant before  Toulon  and  prevents  its  stirring.  What 
pleases  me  much  is  that  the  Turkish  Ambassador  is 
there  a witness  to  it,  and  that  M.  Caylus,  who  has 
been  rewarded  for  being  beat  by  Captain  Barnet,  and 
who  has  the  care  of  the  Ambassador,  must  submit  to 
strike  to  our  ships  if  he  does  venture  out.  The  fear 
of  not  being  able  to  tell  his  story  so  well  now,  may 
make  him  wish  not  to  come  to  blows  again. 

c The  Lord  of  the  Mediterranean  has  sent  a con- 
siderable detachment  of  his  fleet  to  Naples,  under  the 
command  of  Captain  Martin,  with  a compliment  to 
King  Charles,  as  how  he  wishes  his  Majesty  would 
withdraw  his  troops  from  Lombardy, — or  else  ! — I 
really  don’t  know  what  else,  but  they  say,  the  four 
bomb  vessels  that  make  part  of  the  17,  have  about 


104 


MARCHING  AND  COUNTERMARCHING.  1742. 


6,000  shells  on  board.  These  passed  by,  Sunday  last, 
and  must  have  been  long  since  at  Naples,  though  we 
are  as  yet  unacquainted  with  the  consequences  or  the 
effect  it  has  had  on  the  people.  If  the  withdrawing 
the  troops  is  all  we  ask,  they  were  so  obliging  as 
to  prevent  our  request,  since  orders  had  sometime 
been  given  for  their  return  to  Naples,  to  make  their 
Majesty’s  sojourn  there  secure.’ 

‘ The  combined  armies  quitted  the  advantageous 
post  they  had  begun  to  fortify  at  Rimini,  and  without 
once  encamping  or  taking  but  little  repose,  continued 
their  forced  marches  to  Sinigaglia.  ...  It  is  much 
suspected  Montemar  will  cross  away  to  Orbitello,  on 
which  account  we  are  here  again  in  a mighty  fuss, 
for  the  prudent  cannot  think  he  will  carry  his  folly 
to  perish  by  the  bad  air  of  that  place,  but  suspect, 
after  a few  days  rest  and  some  preparations,  he  may 
invade  Tuscany,  and  by  that  means  excuse  the  shame- 
ful campaign  he  has  made,  and  make  a merit  at  least 
of  having  gained  that  footing  in  Italy  for  the  Infant.’ 
August  19th.- — Estafettes  fly  about  at  present 
between  the  above  Ministers  (Admiral  Matthews  and 
me).  Mr.  Matthews  is  desixed  to  be  ready  to  come 
when  we  call  for  help.  I cannot  help  being  persuaded 
that  we  shall  have  no  occasion  for  it,  and  that  the 
present  Neapolitan  scheme  will  have  altered  their 
views,  and  produce  orders  to  Montemar  as  well  as 
to  Castropignero  to  return  to  Naples.  Pray,  Sir, 
recollect,  did  I not  say  to  you  in  the  begining  of 
February  last,  that  a few  ships  being  sent  to  Naples 
would  produce  this  consequence.  I then  wrote  to  Mr. 
(Admiral)  Haddock, poor  man  ! his  name  makes 


1742. 


THE  ENGLISH  ADMIRAL. 


105 


me  melancholy.  They  say  he  is  mad,  though  none 
of  the  fleet  blame  him,  but  lay  the  fault  on  Harriss, 
his  secretary,  who  totally  governed  him.  I could  tell 
you  a long  story  about  him  ; but  it  is  too  long.’ 

August  26th. — ‘ I told  you  Estafettes  fly  about 
wonderfully.  We  are  strangely  busy,  but  in  the 
midst  of  it  all,  I cannot  persuade  myself  that  there  is 
any  occasion  to  be  alarmed,  but  some  folks  love  to 
make  a fuss.  In  consequence  of  the  Express  that  my 
brother  Minister,  who  is  with  the  King  of  Sardinia, 
sent  to  Mr.  Matthews,  with  his  and  their  suspicions 
that  the  Spaniards  would  invade  Tuscany,  the  Admiral 
has  sent  a ship  post  to  me  to  say  he  will  cut  them  all 
to  pieces,  if  they  offer  to  put  their  noses  into  Tuscany ; 
and,  that  if  I saw  occasion  for  it,  I was  to  direct  the 
Romney  to  land  his  men  at  Leghorn  and  fetch  Captain 
Martin  with  his  Squadron  from  Naples  (of  whom  we 
have  heard  nothing  yet),  and  that  the  Admiral  himself, 
in  case  of  need,  would  come  in  person,  with  his  troops 
and  his  marines,  for  which  he  desired  preparations 
might  be  made. 

‘ . . . I communicated  the  contents  of  his  letter 
to  the  Count,  in  a conference,  yesterday,  which  ended 
by  our  persuading  each  other  that  we  did  not  perceive 
any  necessity  to  take  any  part  of  the  fleet  off  any 
other  service  till  Montemar  should  give  more  peremp- 
tory signs  of  his  evil  intentions  against  us.  They 
are  all  at  Foligni  where,  by  not  being  followed  by  his 
enemies,  he  has  leisure  to  rest  his  troops  and  look 
about  him,  and  seems  to  prefer  that  plentifull  country 
and  advantageous  situation  to  that  of  Orbitello,  where 
he  at  first  designed  to  go,  had  he  been  followed.  He 


106 


WAR. 


1742. 


is  now  ready  for  all  events  and  can  proceed  from 
thence  as  circumstances  may  require,  either  with 
regard  to  Don  Phillip’s  army  on  t’other  side,  or  the 
orders  he  may  receive  from  Spain  and  Naples. 

‘ If  the  Neapolitans  retire  home,  Montemar  won’t 
have  10,000  men  left.  If  the  confusion  at  Naples 
should  produce  orders  for  him  to  go  there  too,  he  must 
leave  at  least  3000  men  to  garrison  Orbitello,  etc. 
If  he  should  throw  his  troops  into  Tuscany,  he  cannot 
do  it  without  giving  some  indications  in  time,  it  is 
to  be  hoped,  to  send  proper  notices  to  Mr.  Matthews; 
so  that  in  all  this  uncertainty,  I have  not  advised 
Mr.  Grenville,  of  the  Romney,  to  execute  any  of  his 
orders,  as  I think  it  will  be  sufficient  to  have  a ship 
or  two  at  Leghorn  which,  with  the  merchant  ships  in 
the  Mole,  will  be  always  sufficient  to  receive  the 
English  and  their  effects  now  the  Sea  is  secure.  Let 
the  Regency  therefore,  who  are  so  fully  acquainted 
of  the  King’s  intentions  to  protect  this  country,  make 
applications  to  me  for  assistance  when  they  want  it. 
This,  I told  Richecourt,  I should  expect,  and  in  this 
stile  I have  wrote  to  the  Admiral,  of  which  I have 
acquainted  His  Grace  ’ (the  Duke  of  Newcastle)  c so 
that  I hope  it  will  not  be  necessary  to  recall  Mr. 
Martin  till  he  has  executed  his  commission  at  Naples 
and  that  at  Brindisi,  if  it  be  true  that  he  is  to  fetch 
the  Spanish  Artillery  from  thence.  We  are  told  that 
when  the  Squadron  returns,  it  is  to  put  into  Leghorn. 
If  so,  we  shall  all  go  there,  the  Prince  and  Princess 
and  the  Chutes. 

‘ A most  dismal  affair  has  happened  at  a little 
place  they  call  Merciana,  belonging  to  the  Princess 


1742. 


STRONG  MEASURES. 


107 


of  Piombino,  in  the  Isle  of  Elba,  near  Porto  Longone, 
which  you  know  belongs  to  the  King  of  Naples. 
Captain  Osborne  and  another  man-of-war  were  cruizing 
thereabouts,  and  would  have  visited  some  barks  that 
refused  to  come  to,  and  which  escaped  into  St.  Andrea, 
a little  port  where  there  is  a tower  and  a small  guard. 
The  men -of-war’s  boats  followed  but  were  fired  upon 
by  the  guard.  This  so  provoked  Captain  Osborne 
that  he  made  a descent,  took  the  Castle  and  its  gar- 
rison, and  put  up  the  King’s  colours,  demolished  the 
little  village,  and  carried  away  everything  that  could 
be  found,  with  which  he  would  have  gone  off,  but  on 
the  people  coming  down  from  Porto  Longone  to  the 
assistance  of  those  of  Merciana,  the  English  went 
ashore  again  and  set  fire  to  all  the  houses  and,  they 
say,  consumed  everything  they  had  before  left  higher 
up  in  the  country  where  the  inhabitants  were  fled  to 
save  themselves.  . . . Captain  Osborne  wrote  a letter 
to  Mr.  Goldworthy,  very  confused.  He  said  only, 
that  he  was  in  the  act  of  burning  and  destroying  all 
that  country  in  return  for  great  provocation  he  had 
received,  and  was  warming  himself  by  the  flames  he 
had  raised  ! At  the  end  of  his  letter  he  says  that  the 
fools  are  now  come  down,  so  that  I am  just  going  to 
work  again,  with  all  my  cannon.  What  followed  we 
cannot  tell,  but  the  next  day  a continual  firing  was 
heard  from  15  to  24  hours,  at  Leghorn.  I pity  the 
poor  inhabitants,  and  am  very  much  afraid  that  the 
King  of  Naples  may  do  some  rash  thing  in  return. 
We  have  many  merchants  sent  from  Leghorn  hither, 
when  they  were  afraid  of  the  Spaniards.  It  is  true 
that  his  Sicilian  Majesty  would  perhaps  bring  his  own 


108 


MERRY-MAKING. 


1742. 


town  about  his  ears.  What  a trifle  has  raised  this 
bustle  ! ’ 

‘ In  the  midst  of  all  this  (though  we  did  not  then 
know  it)  we  had  merry-making  at  the  King’s  Arms.’ 
(Mann’s  residence,  in  front  of  which  was  displayed 
the  shield  of  arms  of  Great  Britain.)  ‘ I invited  the 
Academy  to  it,  and  four  more  ladies  to  the  8 I had 
the  first  night,  as  I found  the  Hall  would  hold  them 
and  their  men.  They  were  the  Ricardi,  Ginori, 
Panciaticei,  and  the  Galli.  The  ladies  only  sang, 
except  Pandolfini,  whose  Cicisbea,  Albizzi,  grows  in 
spirits  as  her  husband  grows  better,  about  whom  she 
was  drolly  confidential.  Here  is  an  odd  sort  of  a very 
heavy  fat  fool  come  to  town,  about  18  years  old,  and 
almost  as  big  as  Gerini ; Moleniari  by  name,  extreme 
rich,  and  of  a great  family  of  Milan.  He  is  vastly  sweet 
upon  the  Vittorina  Suares  who,  I assure  you,  is  grown 
mighty  pretty,  and  seems  to  enter  into  the  affair  as 
well  as  anybody.  I believe  it  might  be  brought  about 
if  rightly  managed  ; but  I am  afraid  the  mother  will 
be  too  eager  and  cloy  the  young  man  instead  of 
making  him  eager.  I seldom  see  Madame,  except  at 
my  box  at  the  Opera.  Whenever  I go  to  her  house, 
she  is  always  busy  in  the  top  appartment  looking  for 
papers.’ 

Mann  got  so  perfectly  bewildered  by  the  marches 
and  countermarches  of  the  armies ; by  the  crossing  of 
despatches  contradictory  in  sense  and  instructions ; 
by  reports  of  the  Spaniards  being  about  to  ‘ devour 
Tuscany  ’ in  spite  of  its  neutrality,  or  on  the  ground 
that  the  neutrality  had  been  broken,  that  he  quietly 
resolved  to  have  at  least  his  nights  undisturbed : ‘ I 


1742. 


ENGLISH  CAPTAINS. 


109 


was  obliged  to  give  orders  not  to  be  awaked  by  their 
packets,  which,  after  one  or  two.  I was  convinced 
ought  to  stay  till  morning.’  When  morning  came, 
and  the  despatches  were  read,  full  of  instructions  to 
the  Minister  as  to  how  he  was  in  his  turn  to  instruct 
the  English  naval  Captains  at  Leghorn,  Mann  again 
consulted  his  own  tranquillity  amid  the  general  con- 
fusion. ‘ I was  resolved,’  he  says,  ‘ to  cut  that,  and 
not  to  take  anything  upon  myself,’  he  left  these 
matters  to  Admiral  Matthews,  and  advised  him  to 
do  nothing  for  the  Regency  at  Florence  till  his  aid 
was  asked  for  by  the  Regents.  Mann  had  more 
trouble  with  the  rough  and  ready  English  Captains 
who  were  with  their  vessels  before  Leghorn,  and  longed 
to  be  doing  something  in  their  professional  way.  ‘ I 
could  not  say,’  writes  Mann,  ‘ to  the  Squadron  at 
Leghorn,  that  it  had  come  too  soon  and  might  go 
about  its  business,  neither  could  I make  the  Cap- 
tains behave  as  they  should  do.  One  of  them  wrote, 
that  “for  his  part  (and  Goldworthy  appropriated 
the  expression)  he  did  not  pique  himself  upon 
understanding  neutralities,  but  as  they  came  to  save 
this  country,  they  would  do  so  and  so,  and  would 
assist  the  Government  against  then’  will.”  Imagine 
to  yourself  a pack  of  Captains,  with  a Goldworthy  at 
their  head,  getting  drunk  and  confirming  each  other  in 
their  uonsense,  that  the  Italians  _ are  all  cowards,  and 
God  damn  the  Spaniards.’ 

Captain  Martin  sailed  to  join  Admiral  Matthews, 
leaving  four  ships  for  the  defence  of  Leghorn,  ‘ that  is 
for  the  (English)  merchants.’  The  Prince  and  Princess 
de  Craon  were  to  have  visited  the  English  Squadron, 


110 


ILLEGITIMATE  MEDICI. 


1742. 


but  Martins  departure  gave  them  welcome  excuse 
for  remaining  at  Florence,  to  move  from  which  they 
lacked  pecuniary  means  ! ‘ They  dirtily  resolved  not 

to  go,  after  preparations  had  been  made  to  receive  them 
enPrincesse  (sic),  on  account  of  the  expense.  De  Sade, 
who  had  lent  the  Prince,  some  days  before,  fifty 
zecchini,  dissuaded  them  from  it,  though  I never  saw 
Her  so  much  set  upon  anything  before.  Don’t  you 
pity  them  extremely  to  be  obliged  to  borrow  a poor 

fifty  from  De  Sade,  whom  the  Dutchess  of  M is 

not  in  a condition  to  supply  abundantly  at  present, 
as  I believe  the  King  of  Sardinia  does  not  allow  her 
Highness  much  for  her  menus  plaisirs. 

‘There  has  been  the  most  extraordinary  discovery 
of  an  half  Prince,  who  would  have  made  a very  good 
Great  Duke  of  Tuscany,  had  he  come  into  the  world 
a little  sooner.  He  is  a young  man  of  twenty  years 

old,  son  of  the  Princess  Leonora,  and  one  of  her  foot- 

» 

men,  and  brought  into  the  world  under  the  nose  of  the 
Electress.  Can  you  ever  forgive  her  that  all  the 
entreaties,  which  handsome  young  fellows  put  in  her 
way  during  the  Cardinal’s  lifetime,  should  not  prevail 
upon  her  to  procure  such  an  advantage  to  Tuscany  ? 
. . . The  child  was  absolutely  put  into  the  (Foundling) 
Hospital  till  he  was  12  years  old,  and  then  got  out 
with  much  difficulty,  by  the  means  of  two  worthy 
Priests  who  put  him  in,  and  by  whom  the  discovery  as 
well  as  the  forthcoming  of  the  young  fellow  to  dispute 
his  mother’s  inheritance  with  the  Great  Duke  (whom 
she  made  her  Heir)  has  been  made.  I am  assured  the 
matter  is  quite  clear,  and  the  man  has  letters  from  the 
Princess  which,  in  the  abundance  of  her  tenderness, 


1742. 


A MAD  BISHOP. 


Ill 


she  wrote  to  him  when  he  came  out  of  the  Hospital  of 
the  Innocents.  She  allowed  him  15  crowns  a month, 
only,  for  his  maintenance,  and,  in  her  will,  she  left  him 
3000  crowns,  under  the  denomination  of  her  God-son  ; 
but,  in  order  to  hush  up  the  matter,  it  is  believed  they 
must  give  him  a good  deal  more.  It  is  said  that  the 
examination  into  this  affair  has  led  to  the  discovery 
of  four  more  children  who,  instead  of  being  Cadets 
of  the  House  of  Medici,  are  confounded  among  the 
other  Bastards  of  the  Hospital.  Hard  fate  for  them 
and  Tuscany ! ’ 

‘ The  Suares  family  are  in  great  distress.  The 
poor  foolish  Bishop  is  turned  mad,  occasioned,  they 
say,  by  some  very  unjust  persecutions  of  Richecourt 
and  Rucellai.  He  was  brought  from  San  Mignato, 
a few  days  ago,  and  they  have  obliged  him  to  renounce 
his  bishoprick.  He  raves  often  that  all  his  family  are 
in  a plot  to  marry  the  two  girls  to  the  two  above- 
named  people  against  his  consent.  Yesterday,  in  a 
great  rage,  he  showed  all  his  disreputable  possessions 
to  Madame  Suares,  who  blessed  her  stars  the  girls  were 
not  by.  They  are  however  sensible  that  it  may  be  a 
great  prejudice  to  their  getting  husbands,  and  indeed 
the  whole  family  is  strangely  disconcerted.  Madame 
Suares  is  fully  convinced  that  his  disorder  must  be 
concealed,  so  that  she  only  whispers  to  everybody  that 
she  wishes  to  make  it  pass  for  any  other  illness,  the 
pain  of  which  makes  him  rave.’ 

‘ We  have  had  a strange  pack  of  English  here, 
whose  names  1 don’t  recollect.  They  were  at  Stosch’s 
one  day,  to  see  his  things,  and  a parson  who  was 
among  them  was  made  believe  that  the  large  picture 


112 


CENSORSHIP. 


1742. 


of  Cataline’s  Conspiracy  was  the  Last  Supper.  He 
was  desired  by  the  company  to  say  which  was  Christ’s 
figure  ; he.  instantly  pitched  upon  Cataline,  but  con- 
fessed it  was  the  first  time  he  had  ever  seen  our  Lord 
and  Saviour  with  a sword  by  his  side. 

‘ Among  the  foolish  Bishops  and  Parsons,  I must 
tell  you  what  the  Archbishop  of  Florence,  (who,  by 
the  instigation  of  the  Jesuits,  had  absolutely  forbid 
Cavaliere  Pepi  to  let  “ Don  Pilogio  ” (a  sort  of 
Tartuffe ) be  acted,)  said  on  the  occasion,  when 
the  Impresario  expostulated  the  matter  with  him. 
Pepi  desired  he  would  consider  the  expences  he  had 
been  at,  and  the  Opera  was  to  begin  in  a few  days. 
“ What  expenses  ? ” says  the  Bishop. — “ Why,  the 
musick.” — -“Ah,  Signor  Cavaliere!  you  are  mocking 
me.  The  Musick  may  serve  for  any  other  Opera. 
Besides,  I cannot  bear  that  mixing  together  of  men 
and  women  in  these  pieces  ; away  ! away ! with  it  ! 
it  is  unbecoming  ! ” Pepi  replied,  “ I expect  then 
that  you  will  order  all  the  men  to  go  to  Mass  at  the 
Duomo,  and  the  women  at  Santa  Croce.”  Pepi’s 
arguments  could  not  prevail,  so  that  he  was  forced  to 
chuse  another  burletta,  very  bad  indeed. 

‘ When  I began  this  letter  I had  determined  not  to 
go  to  a great  Function  in  a Church  and  Convent,  to 
which  I was  invited  yesterday ; but  being  told  it 
would  be  taken  ill,  I hurried  on  my  Cloaths  and  have 
made  my  appearance  for  half-an-hour.  It  is  what 
they  call  a Sacramento,  or  a Confirmation  of  several 
Nuns,  in  the  lump.  One  of  Casa  Guadigni,  another 
of  Aguiccioni,  and  four  others.  All  the  world  was 
there  ; and  a most  magnificent  Rinfresco.’ 


1742. 


WATCHING  POPE  AND  KING. 


113 


September  . . . — ‘ Prince  Craon  was  deputed  to 
tiring-  me  the  Great  Dukes  thanks  for  the  attention  L 
have  shown  to  his  service,  etc.,  etc.  I have  desired 
him  to  make  a proper  return  for  so  great  an  honour, 
which  he  promised  to  do  in  the  best  and  strongest 
manner ; for,  says  he,  it  will  be  neccessary,  as  I know 
Richecourt  has  put  you  in  an  indifferent  light  with 
the  Great  Duke,  and  described  you  as  a creature  of 
Lord  Orford,  therefore  no  friend  to  the  Queen  of 
Hungary  or  the  Great  Duke.  The  Prince  added  that 
Richecourt  assured  him,  in  the  beginning,  that  Mann 
was  not  of  long  duration,  as  your  father  was  concerned 
in  all  that  was  to  be  discovered,  and  therefore  Mann 
would  be  demolished  with  him  and  the  rest.  Things 
are  greatly  changed  now,  Richecourt  is,  in  appearance 
the  civilest  creature  alive  to  me,  and  I correspond  full 
as  much  as  is  necessary  and  no  more. 

September  . . . — c I am  threatened  with  a visit  from 
the  Captain  who  has  the  command  of  the  ships  at  Leg- 
horn, which,  by  the  Admiral’s  directions  are  to  be  at 
my  dispositions,  and  indeed  I have  desired  the  Captain 
to  defer  his  departure  from  thence  as  he  designed,  as  he 
said,  to  look  in  at  Civita  Vecchia  and  Gaeta,  to  see 
whether  any  clandestine  doings  were  carrying  on  by 
the  Pope  and  the  King  of  the  Two  Sicilies,  for  as 
everything  is  in  motion  in  the  Romagna,  who  knows 
that  before  or  after  defeat  the  Spaniards  may  take 
refuge  here.  I don’t  believe  they  will,  but  since  it 
has  been  thought  necessary  to  leave  ships  at  Leghorn 
for  this  service,  this  undoubtedly  is  not  a proper  time 
to  remove  from  that  place  on  such  a foolish  errand.’ 
September  . . . — ' Montemar  arrived  safe  at  Genoa 


114 


THE  IJOMENICEINO. 


1742. 


by  land.  He  did  not  care  to  trust  to  the  sea,  for  fear  of 
our  ships,  which  likely  would  have  snapped  him  up  . . . 
The  King  of  Sardinia  set  out  the  29th  of  last  month, 
at  the  head  of  his  army  to  cross  the  mountains,  to  drive 
Don  Phillip  out  of  Savoy,  who  has  taken  the  title  of 
Duke  of  Savoy,  and  obliged  the  inhabitants  to  pay 
him  homage  as  their  Lord,  which  has  greatly  incensed, 
the  King  of  Sardinia.’ 

September  . . . — Montemar’s  disgrace  was  public  at 
last.  Mami  states  that  he  wrote  to  Prince  de  Craon  for 
passports  for  himself  and  Castellari,  to  return  to  Spain 
through  Tuscany.  ‘He  is  recalled  and,  they  say,  in 
high  disgrace.  The  command  of  his  army,  which  is 
about  twelve  thousand,  was,  by  the  same  courier’s 
despatches,  given  to  M.  de  Gages,  who  immediately 
gave  order  for  his  troops  to  prepare  for  a march.  They 
are  all  going  back  to  Lombardy.’  Mann  had  at  this 
time  bought  for  Walpole  the  Domenichino  of  which  so 
much  is  said  in  Walpole’s  Letters ; and  had  got  it  safe 
into  Florence.  ‘ I was  forced  to  defer  sending  for  it,’  he 
writes,  ‘ till  all  the  troops  were  out  of  that  road,  and 
now  must  make  haste,  before  they  infest  it  again.  . . . 
Many  foolish  people  of  Florence  gave  out  that  Monte- 
mar,  at  the  same  time  that  he  asked  for  Passports  of 
the  Regency,  sent  to  desire  one  of  me,  to  be  secure  at 
Sea,  and  to  prevent  his  first  making  a visit  to  the 
King  at  St.  James’s  before  he  obeyed  the  summons 
of  the  Queen  of  Spain:  “ Venez  id!  venez  Due  de 
Bitonto.” 

September  23rd.—  Perhaps  Montemar  may  be  put 
into  arrest  on  his  arrival  in  Spain.  His  reluctancy  to 
get  there  seems  to  denote  his  fears.  He  travels  about 


1742. 


THE  POPE  AND  MAlilA  THERESA. 


115 


10  or  12  miles  a clay,  and  stops  in  the  strangest  places. 
He  is  now  at  Empoli,  a dirty  village  about  two  posts 
and  a half  from  Florence  towards  Pisa.  They  say  he 
absolutely  will  not  embark  till  he  receives  a courier 
from  Spain,  with  private  instructions  from  his  friends, 
that  he  may  judge  whether  it  may  be  prudent  to 
present  himself  there  or  not  till  he  has  justified  his 
conduct,  which  he  says  he  is  fully  capable  of  doing. 
M.  de  Gages  is  now  the  man  who  begins  the  dance  by 
leading  again  up  to  the  Parano,  but  I believe  he  will 
observe  the  rules  of  country  dances,  and  return  to  the 
place  from  whence  he  came. 

‘ The  Pone  is  on  the  point  of  breaking  into  an  open 
quarrel  with  the  Queen  of  Hungary.  Her  Apostolick 
Majesty’s  General  has  seized  two  Abbies  in  the  State 
of  Milan  belonging  to  Valenti  Gonzaga,  his  Secretary 
of  State,  which  the  Pope  so  resents  that  he  has 
wrote  a thundering  letter  to  Vienna  to  tell  her  that  he 
looks  upon  this  step  as  an  open  affront  to  his  person, 
and  insists  upon  restitution  and  satisfaction ; and,  to 
indemnify  the  Cardinal,  ordered  the  income  of  those 
Abbies  should  be  made  good  to  him  out  of  the 
Chamber.  Whilst  this  affair  was  depending,  and  they 
were  waiting  the  return  of  the  Courier,  an  accident 
happened  that  will  not,  it  is  thought,  help  towards 
getting  his  Holyness  satisfaction,  but  may  widen  the 
breach. 

‘ Cardinal  Acquaviva,  who  is  omnipotent  at  Rome, 
taking  it  into  his  head  that  a ‘ Neapolitan  Abbe,’ 
called  Don  Cicio  Pontero,  was  carrying  on  an  illicit 
correspondence  at  Naples,  procured  an  order  for 
him  to  be  seized,  and  gave  his  consent  that  the  Pope’s 


116 


THE  POPE  IN  TROUBLE. 


1742, 


Sbirri  might  enter  the  Place  d’Espagne,  to  do  it ; so 
that  Don  Cicio  was  taken  in  bed.  He  immediately 
produced  a Patent  of  Protection  from  the  Queen  of 
Hungary  ; notwithstanding  which  he  was  sequestered 
and  bis  papers  seized  and  sent  to  the  Governor  of 
Rome.  M.  de  Thun  being’  soon  informed  of  what  had 
passed,  publickly  claimed  the  prisoner,  but  in  vain ; 
on  which  he  instantly  despatched  two  Couriers,  one 
to  Vienna  and  another  to  M.  de  Traun.  On  a strict 
examination  of  Don  Cicio’s  papers,  nothing  was  to  be 
found  to  justify  such  a step  in  a country  where  Pro- 
tections are  of  such  mighty  weight.  The  Governor  of 
Rome  swears  he  gave  no  orders  for  taking  him  up. 
The  Pope  says  the  same  ; so  that  all  the  fault  is  lain 
upon  Cardinal  Valenti,  against  whom  the  Queen,  it  is 
supposed,  will  turn  her  whole  resentment.  The  Court 
of  Rome  is  apprehensive  that  she  will  turn  their 
Nuncio  from  Vienna,  if  the  Pope  should  support  his 
Secretary  any  longer. 

‘ The  poor  Pope  is  made  to  be  a Spaniard,  against 
his  will,  by  those  that  are  about  him,  though  he  is 
really  Austrian.  He  is  buffeted  by  both.  He  has 
lately  sent  Mons.  Bussy,  Commander  of  his  Gallies, 
to  M.  de  Gages,  to  threaten  to  excommunicate  the 
Spaniards,  in  good  earnest,  if  they  do  not  evacuate  his 
ruined  State,’ 

September  30th. — £ Montemar  loiters  still  about 
Reggio,  Massa,  etc.  They  say  he  flatters  himself  still 
to  be  restored  to  the  command  of  his  army,  though  1 
can’t  think  it  at  all  probable,  for  the  Courier  that 
brought  his  dismission  had  letters  to  each  of  the 
principal  officers,  from  the  King,  to  acquaint  them 


1742. 


A STRANGE  ENGLISH  ADMIRAL. 


117 


with  it,  and  to  exhort  each  of  them  to  recover  the 
honour  of  his  arms. 

‘ . . . I flatter  myself  that  at  last  our  sea-folks  see 
the  absurdity  of  forcing  assistance  upon  people  that 
don’t  want  it.  They  have  hitherto  seemed  to  think 
that  because  a man  was  sure  of  a good  Physician, — 
lie  ought  to  wish  to  be  sick  ; but  these  people  have 
been  too  wise  to  accept  this  offer,  as  such  a step  alone 
could  put  them  in  the  necessity  of  wanting  their 
assistance.  Mr.  Matthews  has  in  the  last  week  given 
orders  to  the  Commanders  of  the  few  ships  left  at 
Leghorn  not  to  take  any  one  step  without  my  direc- 
tions. Had  I been  his  Governor  before  I would  have 
prevented  him  committing  so  many  cruelties  upon 
the  poor  innocent  inhabitants  of  Marciana,  and  1 
am  endeavouring  now  to  persuade  him  to  divest  his 
Monkey  of  the  honours  he  has  bestowed  upon  him, 
and  of  the  ensigns  of  the  Catholick  faith  which  he 
robbed  their  churches  of,  and  with  which  he  has 
adorned  him.  Imagine  to  yourself  how  much  the 
true  believers  must  be  offended,  to  see  Pug  with  a 
Crucifix  about  his  neck,  and  their  god  pasted  on  his 
forehead  ! Don’t  you  think  there  is  as  much  supersti- 
tion in  this  man’s  thinking  it  his  duty  to  show  his 
publick  contempt  of  these  things,  as  he  thinks  they 
sheAV  in  their  adoration  of  them  ? for,  in  short,  Pro- 
testant and  Roman  superstitions  are  just  of  the  same 
weight.’ 

The  September  record  is  thus  brought  to  a close  : — 

‘ Madame  Bolognetti  is  here,  and  graced  my  Hall.  She 
is  returned  from  Bologna  with  her  sister,  Frescobaldi, 
and  stays  to  meet  her  t’other  sister,  Madame  Acciajoli, 


118 


FESTIVITIES. 


1742. 


who  (I  told  yon)  went  to  Loreto  to  marry  her  daughter 
to  the  Madera  man  ; but  I never  told  you  that  the  Sposa 
immediately  after  fell  ill  of  the  Small  Pox,  by  which 
they  say  she  is  ten  times  more  ugly  than  before.  The 
Princess  fell  ill  too  on  Madame  Bolognetti’s  arrival, 
but  it  would  not  do,  for  the  latter  would  not  go  to  her 
first ; so  they  have  not  seen  each  other.’ 

September  12th.- — Richecourt  is  now  sick  and  goes 
not  to  the  Council  meetings.  Lady  Walpole  is  tender 
to  a degree,  and  always  attending  to  give  each  glass  of 
water  with  her  own  hand ; and  makes  the  Tisanne  at 
home,  which  she  carries  regularly  in  her  chair  every 
morning,  in  a Pentolino  ’ (small  pot). 

September  . . . — ‘We  have  had  many  Festinos 
for  the  Sposi  in  this  last  week,  which  have  greatly  in- 
terfered with  our  Opera.  Count  Delci  has  taken  to 
wife  Nicolini’s  neice ; and  Count  Bareli,  a Malaspina. 
There  was  a most  magnificent  Ball  at  Casa  Jacontri’  (?) 
‘ to  which,  as  to  all  the  other  di  ginoco,  I have  been 
invited.  There  was  one  of  the  latter  at  Ridolfi’s, 
another  at  Strozzi’s,  a third  at  Count  Bareli’s,  and  this 
evening,  which  is  the  last  (as  well  as  the  last  Opera), 
at  Count  Delci’s.  I shall  be  at  both.  ’ 

September  . . . — Many  days  have  been  taken  up 
by  my  attendance  on  Mrs.  Prat  anel  one  Mr.  Bethel 
whom  I formerly  knew,  and  who,  though  extreme  ill, 
passed  by  Florence  to  see  me.  He  is  going  I believe 
to  dye  at  Yenise,  for  I cannot  think  he  will  get  to 
England,  as  asthma  is  his  disorder,  in  regard  to 
which,  he  says,  he  hates  to  go  Vetturino,  but  wishes 
to  go  post,  at  least,  into  the  next  world. 


1742. 


A LAZY  LADY. 


119 


CHAPTER  Y. 

1742. 

October  15th. — October  opens  with  a joyous  note.  ‘We 
are  now  in  the  height  of  the  Villegiatura,  notwithstand- 
ing the  coldness  and  the  badness  of  the  weather  ought 
to  have  drawn  everybody  from  the  country  that  was  in 
it.  I had  the  last  appearance  of  those  worth  seeing, 
last  Thursday  evening,  to  the  number  of  thirty  of  the 
most  chosen.  It  was  the  solito  concerto,  which  they 
soon  turned  out,  to  make  room  for  minuets,  but  pre- 
ferred eating  gras  to  both,  which  you  know  the  terrible 
mezzo,  notte  would  have  deprived  them  of ; and  you 
may  remember  how  voracious  the  Italian  Dame  are  of 
a bit  of  gras,  else  I dare  say  many  of  them  would  have 
danced  till  morning.  Madame  Griffon i was  not  there. 

. . . She  is  perfectly  well,  though  for  State  or  Laziness 
she  lays  in  bed.  I told  her  ’twas  the  latter,  and  she  did 
not  contradict  it.  She  has  always  a great  deal  of  com- 
pany, with  Ottavio  Manelli  at  her  bed's  side  ; and  by 
keeping  up,  keeps  off  the  horrid  day  of  going  into  the 
country,  which  she  hates  as  much  as  you  do.’ 

October  23rd. — ‘I  am  invited  this  morning  to  a 
breakfast  at  the  Princess’s,  on  the  opening  her  new 
appartment,  or  rather  her  old  one  new  fitted  up.  It  is 


120 


R URAL  ENTERTAINMENTS. 


1742. 


truly  pretty  and  convenient.  All  those  strange  little 
partitions  and  closets  through  which  one  passed,  where 
the  maids  and  the  parrots  used  to  make  a thousand 
odures,  are  all  removed.  She  sleeps  in  the  first  room, 
which  is  large  ; in  the  next  where  she  used  to  sleep, 
she  is  only  to  repose.  There  is  a new  cradle  and  all  the 
lazy  machines  you  can  imagine,  with  all  her  Saxon, 
China,  Walpolian  India  cabinets  and  everything  that 
is  fine  crowded  on  the  tables.  I told  her  I would  write 
you  word  how  fine  it  is.’ 

October  30th. — ‘Florence  is  quite  deserted.  Every- 
body is  making  merry  in  the  country,  for  which  reason 
you  may  easily  conceive  how  dull  the  town  is.  Bali  del 
Borgo,  alias  the  old  Duke  of  Grog,  gave  a grand  ball 
at  his  villa,  near  the  Suares,  last  Monday,  at  the  same 
time  that  Rinaldi  did  the  same  at  his  villa,  quite  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  country.  The  former  was  most 
frequented.  There  was  all  sorts  of  people  in  all  kinds 
of  foolish  dresses  which  they  call  da  Villa.  The  Sposa 
Delci,  Nicol  ini’s  sister,  whom  we  have  seen  dressed  like 
a Queen,  was,  they  tell  me,  in  a sort  of  an  English 
riding  habit  which  could  not  set  strait,  because  she 
is  vastly  crooked.  Then  she  had  an  horrid  black 
velvet  English  cap  on  a very  wry  head  which  is  on  a 
wry  neck,  and  danced  extremely  for  the  first  time 
with  one  leg  considerably  shorter  than  the  other.  The 
Teresina  who  grows  beautiful  to  the  greatest  degree, 
was  full  as  ill-bedecked.  All  the  old  folks  bestirred 
themselves  wonderfully.  Che  vuol  Ella  ? In  villa 
bisogna  star  allegro  ! However,  they  divert,  and  I 
can  easily  forgive  them.  I sent  the  Chutes  to  perso- 
nate me,  as  the  trouble  of  getting  home,  and  the 


1742. 


SATIRICAL  MEDAL. 


121 


hazard  of  catching  cold  is  too  great ; and  then  I don’t 
care  to  be  out  of  the  way,  for  who  knows  that  the 
Spaniards  would  not  take  that  opportunity  to  come. 
I can  assure  you  people  think  they  will.  I can’t  say  I 
am  one  of  them.’ 

October  23rd. — £ I have  a hundred  letters  to  write 
to  England,  the  Admiral,  and  the  Captains  at  Leghorn. 
The  latter  are  becoming  very  pliant,  notwithstanding 
the  foolish  notions  our  Console’  (Goldworthy,  the  British 
Consul)  ‘ put  into  their  heads.  They  are  all,  by  express 
orders,  to  depend  upon  the  directions  I send  them. 
Chatelet  is  returned  from  Leghorn  much  regretted  by 
our  Captains,  as  he  feasted  them  daily.  He  gave  a 
ball  on  the  Queen’s  day.  One  of  them,  about  60, 
danced  more  than  any  of  the  young  ones  at  20.  On 
my  shewing  in  joke  some  surprise,  Chatelet  answered  : 
“ Mais  il  dansoit  pour  lui ! ” The  Great  Duke  has 
ordered  a very  handsome  gratification  for  Chatelet  for 
the  expences  he  has  made  during  the  stay  of  our  Cap- 
tains. I could  not  avoid  showing  him  some  attention, 
so  I have  invited  him,  with  Prince  Craon,  Braitwitz, 
etc.,  etc.,  to  dinner  to-morrow  ; nobody,  however,  will 
give  me  any  gratification,  though  I protest  I ruin  myself. 
Patience  ! there  is  no  avoiding  these  things.  Some- 
time ago,  a medal,  I had  heard  of  was  sent  me  from 
Borne.  I can  only  let  you  know  what  it  is  by  the 
design  of  it.  On  one  side,  there  is  a robed  figure, 
with  the  words  above  it,  “The  Generouse  Duke  of 
Argyle.”  Beneath  the  feet,  is  the  word  “ Pentioner.” 
On  the  other  side,  a Devil,  in  fantastic  dress,  calls  to 
the  open  mouth  of  a monster  (the  mouth  of  Hell) 
“Make  room  for  Sir  Robert ! ” That  gentleman  is 


122 


A LIVELY  NUN. 


1742. 


close  behind,  with  a look  of  great  indifference ; and 
beneath  his  feet  is  inscribed,  “No  Excise.”  Never 
sure  was  such  a low  idea  ! - The  same  spelling  of  the 
word  “ Gfenerouse  ” convinces  me  that  it  was  made  by 
some  Irish  Jacobite.  The  workmanship  is  abominable. 
It  is  the  nastyest  brass  thing  you  ever  saw.’ 

October  30th. — ‘ You  know  no  doubt  the  first  part 
of  the  history  of  the  beautiful  Yenetian  Nun  of  the  Reira 
family,  as  how  she  was  debauched  by  M.  de  Trouby, 
the  French  Ambassador  at  Venice,  who  by  means  of 
false  keys  had  free  entrance  into  her  convent,  which, 
being  at  length  discovered,  the  Nun  was  most  closely 
confined,  but  not  being  able  to  bear  the  treatment  of 
her  Sister  Nuns  who  upbraided  her  with  her  broken 
vows  and  past  pleasures,  she  found  means  to  get  the 
Pope’s  permission  to  be  transported  into  another  con- 
vent at  Ferrara  where  she  soon  gained  a Supra  con - 
versa,  by  whose  assistance  she  made  a second  escape ; 
and,  thinking  to  legitimate  her  second  infidelity  to  her 
first  cold  Sposo  J.  C.,  she  married  a Colonel  in  the 
Spanish  service  and  remained  at  Bologna  with  him  ; but 
lo  ! as  the  vengeance  of  nostro  Signore  always  overtakes 
the  unfaithfull,  an  order  was  sent  from  Rome  to  arrest 
her,  and  M.  de  Gages  was  induced  to  do  the  same  by  the 
officer.  She  was,  at  the  departure  of  the  last  letter, 
gar  dee  d vue  and  her  husband  under  arrest,  so  that  it 
is  greatly  feared  the  povera  Colonella  will  pay  most 
severely  for  her  past  pleasures.’ 

‘ Now  I am  mentioning  unfortunate  wives,  I cannot 
omit  acquainting  you  with  the  unhappy  state  of  a,  poor 
Florentine  13  am  a of  your  acquaintance,  the  Gondi,  on 
whom  the  poor,  pale-faced  A bin  Neri  used  to  be  so 


1742.  A DOMENIGHINO  BY  SASSO  FERRATO ! 123 


sweet  in  the  face  of  the  Opera.  She  is  so  sorely 
afflicted  with  the  scurvy  that  there  seems  to  be  no 
remedy  ....  Doctor  Tyrril,  famous  for  great  cures, 
has  refused  to  assist  her,  saying  that  though  his  mer- 
curial unctions  have  been  so  efficacious,  yet  the  scurvy 
of  Madame  Gondi  has  taken  such  deep  root  and  is  of 
so  bad  a nature  that  he  despairs  of  giving  her  a 113' 
relief.  I pity  the  poor  creature  vastly,  but  )'ou  would 
laugh  to  hear  all  the  ladies  talk  of  the  Scorbuta  with 
such  compassion.’ 

November  6th. — I must  not  conceal  to  you  a strong 
suspicion  of  the  Dominicallity  of  your  Madonna ! not 
from  the  beauty,  for  nothing  can  exceed  it,  but  on  m37 
unpacking  it,  I found  wrote  on  the  back,  Sasso  Ferrato  ; 
whose  name  is  not  to  be  found  in  the  Abecedario 
Pittorico,  or  in  any  Lives  of  the  Painters  that  I have 
seen ; but  I find  his  name  is  well  known  in  Florence 
as  a famous  painter  of  Madonnas.  Nunziato  Baldocci 
has  one  ; Marquis  Corsi,  another.  Nobody  can  tell 
me  where  or  when  he  lived  ; but  there  is  a little  place 
somewhere  in  Italy,  called  Sasso  Ferrato.  I would 
willingly  erase  those  words,  but  am  afraid  that  ink  or 
anything  else  I should  use  might  in  time  eat  into  the 
picture.  If  I were  you,  I would  line  it.  The  canvass 
is  rather  too  dry,  so  that  a lining  would  both  preserve 
it  and  remove  the  scandal.  I have  a little  Madonna 
and  Child  now  in  my  house  which  has  been  called  b37 
the  same  author.  It  is  as  much  inferior  to  your’s  as  is 
possible,  but  it  cannot  be  denied  that  there  is  a great 
resemblance  in  the  manner  of  painting.’ 

November  6. — ‘ More  Captains  came  to  take  care  of 
us,  though  we  don’t  want  ’em;  and  all  talk  of  protecting 


124 


ENGLISH  NAVAL  CAPTAINS.  ' 


1742. 


the  Great  Duke  and  his  dominions.  1 always  answer, 
the  Merchants  of  Leghorn  ought  to  he  fully  satisfied 
with  the  care  the  Admiral  shews  for  them,  on  whose 
account  they  are  solely  there  ; and  that  when  the 
Great  Duke  wants  the  assistance  of  the  Fleet,  lie  will 
apply  to  me  for  it ; that  his  accepting  their  assistance 
before  would  give  the  Spaniards  a pretence  likewise  to 
break  the  neutrality  which  the  Great  Duke  has  so 
much  interest  to  maintain.  This,  they  say,  they 
don’t  understand.  What  need  he  be  afraid  of  ? Are 
not  we  come  to  save  him  from  Popery  and  Slavery  ? 
etc.  etc. 

‘ I despair  of  convincing  them  that  the  Great  Duke 
ought  not  to  wish  to  have  his  country  invaded,  because 
he  is  sure  of  having  their  assistance  at  Leghorn.  Is 
not  this  terrible  ? I do  assure  you  that  II  Furibondo’ 
(Admiral  Matthews)  c wrote  me  that  the  answer  which 
was  given  to  one  of  his  Emissaries  seemed  rather 
dictated  by  a Spanish  Agent  than  a Minister  of  the 
Great  Duke  ; and  that  he  was  sorry  to  see  some  of  the 
Lorraine  Eegents  more  friends  to  Spain  than  to  their 
Master.  Had  he  said  the  Florentines  in  general,  he 
would  not  have  been  mistaken  ; but  the  Admiral  is  as 
wild  as  they  (the  Captains)  are  all  ignorant.  Four  of 
them  want  to  have  the  honour  to  hiss  the  Regency’s 
hand  and  pay  their  respects  to  me  ! For  which 
purpose,  they  set  out  from  Leghorn  to-morrow  morn- 
ing. Pity  me,  dear  child  ! I shall  be  devoured  by 
these  sea-monsters  ! I am  making  my  will,  and  be- 
queathing to  you  my  Magdalene,  to  Sir  Robert,  my 
Sabine  ; and  my  debts  to  my  father.  All  the  pretty 
bijoux  you  gave  me  shall  be  divided  among  my 


1742. 


MORE  CAPTAINS. 


125 


brothers  and  sisters,  as  the  chief  marks  of  my  favour.’ 
In  a subsequent  letter,  Mann  writes  : ‘ Captain  Cox,  of 
the  Newcastle,  says  he  has  the  honour  to  be  known  to 
my  Lord  (Orford)  and  will  take  care  of  the  Domini- 
chino ; he  adds  that  he  has  won  master  Suckling  a 
great  nephew  of  Sir  Robert’s  on  board  ; he  is  the 
strangest  illiterate  man  I ever  corresponded  with.’ 

November  13 th, — CA  miserable  head-ache  has  till 
24  hours  confined  me  in  bed.  The  cause  was  a horrid 
door  against  which  I sat  at  supper  last  night,  at  Casa 
Craon,  a great  supper  for  our  Captains.  Oh  ! the  life 
I have  led  for  a week  past ! The  first  day  they  came 
I was  ill  with  a cold,  they  dined  and  supped  here. 
The  next  day  we  dined  at  Braitwitz’s,  and  I went 
with  a fever.  The  next  day,  a great  dinner  at  the 
Cascina,  where  there  was  an  encampment  of  800  men. 
This  was  done  by  Chatelet,  but  the  rains  in  the  after- 
noon prevented  the  exercises  and  disappointed  vast 
crowds  of  people  who,  notwithstanding  the  bad 
weather,  were  as  foolish  as  we  to  go  there.  We  dined 
under  some  open  lodges,  and  though  I had  my  cloak 
on,  etc.,  I was  almost  killed.  Every  day  since  we 
have  dined  out.  They  are  all  now  in  the  next  room, 
where  there  are  three  tables,  at  cards.  Mesdames 
Suares  and  Frescobaldi  are  the  only  ladies. 

* Amongst  the  Captains,  there  is  a man  of  admired 
good  sense,  quiet  and  easy,  and  who  rails  with  me  at 
the  lowness  and  horrid  meanness  of  his  companions. 
His  name  is  West,  a nephew,  1 believe,  of  Lord 
Cobharn.  I have  had  no  difficulty  to  show  him  the 
nature  of  our  situation  and  that  II  Furibondo  has 
never  understood  it.  The  Princess  has  not  shewn 


120 


AT  HOME  AND  AT  COURT. 


1742. 


herself  but  once.  She  has  always  taken  medicine,  of 
the  operations  of  which  all  the  town  has  had  an 
exact  account.’ 

November  2,0th. — ‘ I am  extreme  ill,  though  I have 
been  very  quiet  since  the  departure  of  my  Captains.  If 
any  more  should  come  to  kiss  the  Regency’s  hand , I 
will  not  take  to  them  as  I have  to  these,  but  I thought 
myself  obliged  to  do  a good  deal  to  recover  the  good 
graces  of  the  Fleet,  which  I believe  I lost  by  my  not 
letting  Mr.  Martin  protect  and  assist  the  Great  Duke 
of  Tuscany  and  his  Territories  and  that  important 
City  of  Leghorn,  when  there  was  no  occasion  for  it. 
...  I forgot  to  tell  you  the  finest  part  of  all,  which 
was  that  we  went  to  the  Camp  dans  mon  attellage, — 
the  harness  of  which  only  was  my  own.’ 

' Poor  M.  Chute  pays  dear  for  the  small  liberties  he 
took  during  their  stay  here,  in  drinking  one  little  glass 
of  rich  wine  at  each  meal,  and  now  is  forced  to  turn 
more  rigorously  to  the  Turneps  and  water,  in  hopes  of 
driving  away  the  gout  the  above  excesses  brought 
upon  him.  He  is  not,  however,  very  bach’ 

November  20th. — £ We  are  forced  to  e’o  oftener 

O 

to  Prince  Craon’s  than  we  cliuse.  He  torments  us  to 
play  at  Quadrille -mediateur,  which  is  become  the  most 
fashionable  game  at  the  Court  of  Florence,  and  has 
banished  all  other  games.  Prince  Craon  literally 
plays  from  morning  to  night.  The  Princess  still 
sticks  to  Ombre  and  Antinori.’ 

November  20th. — ' M.  de  Thun  writes  word  that 
great  preparations  are  making  for  the  departure  of  the 
Pretender’s  elder  son  to  France,  and  that  the  Pope 
is  to  furnish  money  for  it.  I own  I can’  (not)  'believe 


SAILOR'S  POLITICS. 


12  7 


1742. 


a word  of  all  this,  as  the  present  occasion  does  not 
seem  at  all  favourable  especially  for  the  Pope  to  bear 
the  expense.’ 

November  2 7th. — ‘ 1 told  you  all  my  Captains  were 
gone,  but  I did  not  tell  you  half  their  absurdities. 
Others  are  come,  quite  as  bad,  and  I have  to  teach  them 
what  Neutralities  are.  Those  I had  with  me  went  away 
amaestrati , as  I would  wish,  and  have  changed  their 
tone.  One  of  them,  on  the  arrival  of  more  ships  said 
to  Goldworthy,  that  he  could  not  conceive  the  mean- 
ing of  the  Admiral’s  sending  so  many  ships  up,  as  he 
must  be  convinced  3 instead  of  7 that  were  at  Leu- 
horn  were  sufficient  for  that  service  (for  the  security 
of  the  Merchants  only,  which  was  the  only  one 
to  be  considered  till  the  Great  Duke  should  ask 
for  assistance),  and  that  he  could  not  conceive  where 
he  had  his  intelligence  ; which  piques  my  friend  so 
much  that  he  said,  neither  the  Great  Duke’s  Regency 
nor  any  one  else  at  Florence  (meaning  me)  was  a 
judge  of  the  danger  Tuscany  was  in.  To  which  the 
Captain  replied  that  Goldworthy  must  excuse  him  if 
he  couldn’t  be  persuaded  that  he  (Goldworthy)  was 
the  only  wise  man  in  Tuscany.  Was  ever  any  thing 
so  silly;  to  support  so  ill  the  alarms  which  II  Furi- 
bondo  puts  in  his  despatches  ! What  must  you  think 
of  the  other,  to  be  thus  alarmed  and  not  to  see  that  this 
creature  has  his  own  private  interests  in  causing  many 
ships  to  remain  there,  in  order  that  he  may  furnish 
more  beef  and  peas,  etc.,  by  which  his  profit  was 
immense.’ 

November  27th. — ‘ Lord  Forrester  who  carried  the 
last  money  for  the  Queen  ’ (of  Hungary)  ‘ to  Trieste, 


128 


110YAL  GIFTS. 


1742. 


went  from  thence  to  Vienna,  where,  you  will  imagine, 
he  was  well  received.  She  made  him  a present  of  a 
cristal  snuff-box,  very  rich  with  jewels  ; and  to  the 
officer  who  accompanied  him  a diamond  ring.  Biclie- 
court’s  brother,  who  has  lately  been  sent  to  Berlin, 
carried  the  Queen’s  picture  richly  adorned  with  dia- 
monds to  her  Plenipotentiary,  Lord  Hyndford,  to 
whom  we  hear  the  King  of  Prussia  has  given  a fine  set 
of  plate,  and  the  eagle  to  put  into  his  arms ; with 
“Pro  bene  merito,”  for  its'motto.  Surely  Mr.  Bobinson 
deserves  a good  deal,  as  his  task  was  the  hardest  to 
persuade  the  Queen  to  give  up  all  Silesia  instead  of 
about  half  of  it  that  the  King  of  Prussia  asked  only, 
about  a year  ago.’ 

December  1 8th. — ‘The  Great  Duke  has  sent  his 
absolute  orders  to  General  Braitwitz  to  march,  and  a 
strong  “ miramur  ” that  he  had  not  done  so  before  ; so 
that  in  blind  obedience  to  his  orders  which  he  supposes 
were  planned  by  Bichecourt,  he  sets  out  for  Firen- 
zuola  in  a day  or  two,  and  will  have  with  him,  if  his 
men  choose  to  stay,  about  3500;  the  rest  are  quartered 
in  different  places  on  the  mountains,  equally  advan- 
tageous to  desert  from.  ...  We  shall  see  what  it  all 
ends  in  ; desertion,  I believe,  and  the  increase  of  M.  de 
Gages’  army.  The  above  orders  were  given  to  protect 
Tuscany  from  a suspected  design  on  the  part  of  the 
Spaniards,  to  break  the  neutrality  by  an  invasion  of 
the  duchy.  Braitwitz,  however,  declined  to  obey  com- 
mands which  would  bring  on  the  very  evils  for  pre- 
venting which  they  were  issued.’ 

December  11th. — ‘I  was  deprived  of  the  pleasure 
of  writing  to  you  last  post  by  a violent  head-aclie, 


1742. 


COLD  CEREMONY. 


129 


which  I caught  at  the  Princess’s  the  night  before.  This 
is  a tax  I constantly  pay  for  going  there  now  ’tis  so 
excessively  cold.  They  carry  on  the  same  foolish  whim 
of  not  permitting  any  fire  in  any  part  of  the  house, 
and  as  T am  not  muffled  up  like  them,  it  is  impossible 
to  resist,  after  having  been  used  to  my  good  room  with 
carpets  and  fire  at  home.  I must  tell  you  the  garb  of 
the  poor  Prince  who  has  done  all  he  can  to  procure  a 
little  warmth.  He  sits  in  a great  rug,  horseman’s  coat, 
and  about  his  arms  has  literally  sleeves  made  out  of 
Doncaster  stockings  which,  for  finery,  are  tipped  with 
silk,  the  better  to  join  with  cotton  mittens,  which  are 
sewed  on.  The  Princess  shivers  under  fur  tippets, 
short  cloaks,  and  a horrid  thing  she  calls  ma  capuche, 
which  gives  her  the  air  of  a Capuchin.  I told  her 
t’other  day  that  I was  convinced  her  ails  proceeded  from 
her  pores  being  constantly  shut,  and  the  perspiration 
hindered,  except  when  she  is  in  bed,  which  she  takes 
to,  much  of  late,  to  be  warm  and  to  shew  her  pretty 
appartment.  The  Prince  came  to  see  me  when  I was 
ill,  and  the  cause  was  much  enlarged  on  by  de  Sacle, 
so  that  I do  not  despair  of  raising  a flame,  otherwise 
I must  totally  abstain  going  there  the  evenings.’ 

December  1 1th. — ‘A  most  important  affair  has 
happened  to  one  I interested  myself  for,  by  order  of 
Lord  Harrington,  and  for  whom  I had  the  Great  Duke’s 
promise  a long  while  ago,  that  he  would  show  all  regard 
to  that  recommendation.  The  person  I am  speaking 
of  is  Marquis  Nomis,  whom,  I believe,  you  knew  ; 
whose  mother  is  Madame  Bothmar  of  Hanover.  This 
is  a sufficient  key  to  the  recommendation.  He,  some- 
time ago,  very  foolishly  engaged  himself  by  writing 


YOL.  I. 


K 


130 


A QUARREL. 


1742. 


and  all  the  outward  functions  of  a Sposo  in  this 
country,  to  marry  the  eldest  Franchini ; and,  after- 
having  exhibited  himself  with  her  in  this  light,  at 
all  the  publick  places,  for  several  months,  he  repented 
of  his  folly,  and  in  order  to  get  off,  has  drawn  himself 
into  a much  worse  scrape,  if  possible,  (though  they  must 
have  starved  together).  He  retired  to  his  regiment  at 
Leghorn,  hoping  to  drop  his  Sposa ; and,  though 
called  upon  very  frequently  by  her  brother,  a young- 
fellow  about  Norms’  age,  did  not  druse  to  answer 
any  of  his  letters.  The  brother,  knowing  that  when 
he  was  thus  surrounded  by  his  officers,  nothing  was  to 
be  done,  waited  till  the  troops  came  here,  and  then 
began  his  stronger  application  in  person  and  by 
letter,  but  these  being  rendered  ineffectual,  Fran- 
chini resolved  to  wait  in  the  street,  to  meet  him  and 
demand  satisfaction.  This  likewise  was  difficult  to 
execute,  as  Nomis  was  apprized  of  it,  and  always  took 
care  to  be  in  company  with  his  officers  and  in  a coach. 
However,  about  a fortnight  ago,  Franchini  stopped  his 
coach  when  in  company  with  Monsr.  Vincent  (whom 
the  Primate  ruined,  you  will  remember  him.)  The 
latter  got  out  only,  and  told  Franchini  that  if  he 
had  any  quarrel  with  his  friend,  he  would  answer 
it.  T’other  replied,  he  had  an  affair  of  consequence 
to  settle  with  Nomis,  protesting  he  had  no  quarrel 
with  Vincent,  but  that,  however,  if  he  obliged  him 
to  it,  he  was  ready  to  give  him  what  satisfaction  he 
pleased,  and  so  drew  his  sword.  On  which  Vincent 
put  up  his,  and  returned  to  the  coach,  saying  that  was 
not  a proper  place  (Ponte  di  Sta'  Trinita).  Franchini 
had  time  to  abuse  Nomis  extremely,  to  challenge  him 


1742. 


UNWILLING  TO  FIGHT. 


131 


and  bid  him  appoint  a place  to  fight,  but  they  drove 
off.  The  affair  soon  made  much  noise,  and  all  the 
officers  were  in  an  uproar  against  Franchini,  who  was 
forced  to  retire  to  Bologna. 

‘ In  the  mean  time,  Nomis  caused  a writing  to  be 
published,  wherein  he  asserted  that,  as  an  officer  and 
Christian  he  could  not  fight ; with  all  the  foolish 
arguments  the  latter  character  could  dictate.  If  they 
kick  thy  right  side  turn  thy  left  also  ! However,  this 
supported  him  among  his  officers,  as  his  adversary  was 
fled,  and  afterwards  banished  by  the  Government  for 
not  obeying  their  summons  to  return  ; but  a pompous 
writing,  drawn  up  by  Abbe  Buonacorsi,  turned  the 
tables  quite.  Franchini  exposes  in  this,  the  reciprocal 
promise  of  marriage  between  Nomis  and  his  sister, 
underwritten  by  both  ; then  he  lays  open  the  whole 
proceedings,  the  necessity  he  was  under,  as  a Cavaliere, 
to  call  Nomis  to  account  in  this  manner ; appeals  to 
all  the  officers  as  men  of  honour,  and  he  concludes  by 
telling  them  that  their  honour  cannot  permit  them  to 
serve  with  one  so  vile,  etc. 

‘ This  writing  being  penned  with  a great  deal  of 
eloquence,  and,  they  say,  truth,  as  witnesses  were 
quoted  for  every  article,  no  objection  was  made  to  it, 
and  the  officers  began  to  consult  how  to  behave.  They 
all  agreed  Franchini  was  in  the  right,  and  Nomis 
had  an  intimation  he  must  resign  his  commission, 
which  he  has  done,  and  has  resolved  to  cover  all  the 
infamy  he  has  contracted,  under  the  habit  of  a Priest ! 
The  good  fight  of  Faith  will  not  expose  him  to  such 
dangers  as  the  point  of  Franchini’ s sword  ! ...  He 
is  quite  ruined  by  this  accident.’ 


132 


HUSBAND  AND  CICJSBEO. 


1742. 


Walpole’s  remark  on  tliis,  written  in  his  letter  of 
January  8th,  1743,  is,  ‘What  an  infamous  story  that 
affair  of  Nomis  is  ; and  how  different  the  ideas  of 
honour  among  officers  in  your  world  and  ours.’ 

December  11th. — ‘Two  important  matters  have 
lately  so  fell  out  as  to  shock  the  whole  formidable  body 
of  Cicisbeos.  The  Vernaci,  noted  for  many  exploits 
both  in  her  youth  and  riper  years,— you  may  recollect 
the  affair  between  her  and  Crudeli,  and  to  what  strange 
offices  she  obliged  him,  and  which  ended  in  the  total 
interruption  of  his  former  amusements  and  obliged 
him  to  abandon  her, — has  been  attended  of  late  by 
Cavalieri  Pitti  and  Garvi ; and,  through  her  husband’s 
retiring  for  good  to  his  villa,  she  has  had  all  the 
opportunities  to  do  as  she  pleased.  But  lo  ! some 
secret  complaints  reached  the  ears  of  the  solemn 
interrupters  of  honest  folks’  pleasures,  and  when  she 
least  expected  it,  a chair,  one  dark  night  was  carried 
to  her  door,  into  which  she  was  forced  to  get,  in  order 
to  be  conducted  to  a place  called  Le  Male  Maritate, 
where  she  is  like  to  spend  the  remainder  of  her  time. 
How  shall  I describe  to  you  the  tears,  the  anxieties, 
and  the  rabbia  of  the  bella  Vernaci  ? 

‘ I come  now  to  the  second  matter.  You  have  seen 
the  Senator  Guadagni  and  the  bella  Pucci  bill  and 
coo,  and  make  believe  they  had  great  joy  in  so  doing. 
But  here  again  somebody  has  been  busy  with  odious 
complaints,  which  proved  successful!.  Madame  re- 
ceived a terrible  order  to  remain  at  her  villa,  and  the 
Senator,  with  equal  authority,  was  forbid  going  near 
her.  For  my  part,  I cannot  tell  what  it  all  tends  to, 
for  to  pretend  that  the  ladies  will  or  do  care  for  their 


1742. 


SPOSI  E SPOSE. 


133 


indifferent  husbands  is  ridiculous ; and  to  suppose 
that  the  many  young  fellows  (who  by  the  custom  of 
the  country  have  no  other  provision  for  them  but  the 
tables  of  the  one  single  chief  of  each  family)  should 
not  make  love  to  them,  is  equally  absurd.  The  con- 
sternation is  at  present,  however,  great.  Nothing  but 
a Carnival  can  set  all  to  rights  again.  Well,  this  is 
near,  and  our  hopes  rise  as  it  approaches.  No  matter 
what  opera  ; the  theaters  will  be  open  and  masks  per- 
mitted, and  so  we  bid  defiance  to  all/ 

‘ I figure,’  wrote  Walpole  in  his  reply,  £ a parcel 
of  lovers  who  have  so  many  things  to  dread ; — the 
government  In  this  world  ! Purgatory  in  the  next ! 
inquisitions,  villegiaturas,  convents,  etc.’ 

December  18  tli. — ‘ All  the  news  that  I have  to  tell 
you  of  your  acquaintance  is  that  the  Sposa  Panciatici 
(Corsi)  was  brought  to  bed  of  a son  t’other  day,  to  the 
great  joy  of  the  congiunti.  You  know  ’tis  the  custom 
here  to  make  the  women  presents  on  such  occasions 
quando  ci  sono  portate  bene.  Her  father,  Marchese 
Corsi,  gave  her  a hundred  zechins  ; her  mother,  forty 
braces  of  velvet ; her  own  husband,  for  so  soon  bring- 
ing an  heir  to  his  family,  80  zee  ; and  your  friend  the 
Cavaliere  de  Malta  Panciatici,  35  zee.  ; the  latter,  I 
think,  might  have  been  excused,  as  it  is  hard  a man 
should  give  his  sister  in  law  a present  for  having 
excluded  him  from  all  hopes  of  succession.  Young 
Marquis  Corsi  is  declared  Sposo  to  a daughter  of  the 
Princess  Corsiui  at  Pome,  for  which  place  he  was 
preparing  to  set  out,  but  was  prevented  by  the  meazles. 
The  Cardinal  made  this  match  when  he  was  this  last 
summer  in  Tuscany.  There  was  a violent  Christening 


134 


PRINCELY  ECONOMY. 


1742. 


last  Friday,  for  the  young  Panciatici.  The  excessive 
rains  prevented  my  going  ; however,  all  the  town  was 
there,  and  was  drowned.’ 

December  18  th. — It  is  now  thought  the  Vernaci 
w-ill  be  got  out  of  the  Male  Maritate.  Her  husband 
has  presented  a memorial  to  the  Regency,  setting  forth 
that  he  was  a mighty  fool  for  desiring  her  to  be  put 
in.  . . . The  Pucci’s  husband  is  not  tired  yet  of 
living  with  her  in  the  country,  nor  is  yet  persuaded 
that  he  was  mistaken.’ 

December  18 th. — ‘The  Princess  has  a thousand 
ails,  and  never  gets  up  but  at  12  at  night  to  sup  by 
her  bed’s  side.  Madame  Sarasin  is  extreme  tired  of  all 
this,  but  creeps  out  sometimes  to  get  two  or  three 
rounds  at  Quadril-Mediateur.  There’s  a great  reform 
in  the  family.  The  Prince  has  farmed  out  his  Table. 
When  I go  there,  the  fine  cook  commonly  asks  me  if  I 
stay  supper  ? to  which  I always  say  No,  so  that  none 
is  provided.’ 

While  Mann  was  repeatedly  accusing  the  British 
Consul  at  Leghorn  of  meanness,  avarice,  and  disregard 
of  his  country’s  interests,  he  w~as  under  considerable 
anxiety  lest  the  political  changes  at  home  should  drive 
him  from  his  ministerial  post,  at  the  Grand  Ducal 
Court  in  the  capital  of  Tuscany.  When  his  mind  was 
more  at  ease  on  this  point,  our  Envoy  became  very 
eager  for  increase  of  his  salary.  Walpole  sympathized 
with  him,  and  Mann,  stimulated  by  the  sympathy,  sat 
down  and  had  the  impudent  audacity  to  address  the 
following  astounding  lines  to  his  correspondent. 

‘ Your  advice  about  the  Captains  has  determined 
me  to  impart  to  you  a thought  that  is  come  into  my 


1742. 


B UIBING  A MINISTER. 


135 


head  which  shall  be  nothing  till  I receive  your  appro- 
bation. Mr.  Chute  approves  of  it  and  would  remove 
my  scruples  on  your  account;  for  my  own  part,  I have 
not  got  over  them  quite. 

‘ You  know  that  though  I have  no  particular 
reason  to  believe  that  the  Duke  of  Newcastle  ’ 
(Secretary  of  State  for  Foreign  Affairs)  ‘ is  not  my 
friend,  yet  I cannot  brag  of  having  any  certainty 
of  the  contrary.  . . . Now,  I have  been  thinking 
whether  it  might  be  improper  to  endeavour  to  obtain 
the  Duke’s  permission  to  send  him  any  thing.  Let 

me  speak  out.  I mean  your  fine  coffee-pot.  The 

only  objection,  after  bringing  myself  to  part  with  any- 
thing that  came  from  you,  is  the  intrinsick  value  to 
one  like  him.  But  I might  give  it  this  turn,  in  order 
to  waive  that  objection,  and  call  it  a peice  of  fine 
sculpture  by  Benvenuto  Cellini  or  John  Bologna, 
saved  from  the  general  meltings.  The  thing  in  itself 
can  fit  nobody  better  than  the  person  I am  speaking 
of,  and  if  it  were  to  be  done,  one  of  my  brothers 
might,  in  the  stile  above  mentioned,  go  there  and  ask 
leave.  Do  you  think  it  could  offend,  or,  do  you  think 
it  proper  ? You  know  the  nature  of  things  at  present. 
If  the  Duke  could  be  pleased,  it’s  right  to  do  any- 
thing, for  even  his  indifference  might  be  highly 
prejudicial  to  me,  and  it  would  not  be  at  all  surprising 
in  the  present  circumstances  if  some  one  or  other 
should  try  for  my  post.  My  dear  Child,  answer 
this  thought,  if  you  disapprove  it ; and  in  case  you  do 
not  give  my  brother  directions  how  to  execute  it  pro- 
perly out  of  hand,  I shall  be  impatient  for  your  answer, 
which  shall  determine  me  how  to  act.’ 


136 


DELICATE  CORRUPTION. 


1742. 


Walpole  was  not  shocked  at  the  idea  of  bribing  a 
Minister  with  the  silver  coffee-pot  he  had  given  to 
Mann,  he  only  thought  it  would  be  fruitless,  and  that 
the  Minister  could  not  be  deceived  by  the  lie  that  was 
to  make  it  pass  for  the  workmanship  of  Cellini  or 
Giovanni  di  Bologna. — ‘ In  the  first  place/  wrote 
Walpole,  January  6th,  1743,  ‘I  never  heard  a sus- 
picion of  the  Duke’s  taking  presents ; and  should 
think  he  would  rather  be  affronted.  In  the  next 
place,  my  dear  child,  though  you  are  fond  of  that 
coffee-pot,  it  would  be  thought  nothing  among  such 
wardrobes  as  he  has  of  the  finest  wrought  plates. 
Why,  he  has  a set  of  gold  plates  that  would  make  a 
figure  on  any  side-board  of  the  Arabian  Tales ; and  as 
for  Benvenuto  Cellini,  if  the  Duke  could  take  it  for 
his,  people  in  England  understand  all  work  too  well  to 
be  deceived.  Lastly,  as  there  has  been  no  talk  of 
alterations  in  the  foreign  ministers,  why  should  you 
be  apprehensive  ? ’ 

But,  if  a Secretary  of  State  was  not  to  be  bribed, 
the  Secretary’s  secretary  might  be.  ‘ As  to  Stone,’ 
(says  Walpole)  ‘if  anything  was  done,  to  be  sure  it 
should  be  to  him,  though  I really  can’t  advise  even 
that : by  no  means  think  of  the  Duke.’ 


1743. 


THEATRES. 


137 


CHAPTER  VI. 

1743. 

January  ls£. — ‘Our  Carnival  began  last  Wednesday 
with  the  very  worst  Opera  in  the  Via  della  Pergola 
that  ever  was  heard.  “ Andromache  ” is  its  name, 
personated  by  the  Bagnolese  in  a black  velvet  gown 
covered  with  bugles.  Andriani  is  our  first  man, 
very  bad  in  my  opinion  ; all  the  rest  are  worse  still. 
The  second  night,  they  took  but  17  tickets  at  the 
door,  though  Ridolh  undertook  this  on  condition  there 
should  be  no  other  Opera  in  the  town,  which  was 
granted ; so  that  in  the  Via  del  Cucumero,  there  is 
a most  horrid  representation  of  “ Agamemnon  ” in 
prose  ! Judge  what  it  can  be  by  people  who  never 
acted  before  in  their  lives.  The  translation  is  abomin- 
able, and  indeed  the  story  so  old  and  out  of  fashion 
that  one  can’t  bear  it.  Lady  Walpole  was  a great 
promoter  of  these  tragedies,  where,  she  says,  noble 
sentiments  are  not  disguised  by  horrid  musick  ! ’tis 
such  affectation  that  makes  one  sick. 

‘ The  weather  is  colder  than  ever  I knew  ; though 
I write  by  the  fire-side  I am  so  benumbed  that  I can 
hardly  form  any  letters  ; ’tis  incredible  what  one 
suffers  abroad  at  nights,  tho’  my  box,  the  famous  one 


138 


ITALIAN  FEVER. 


1743. 


of  Count  Bichecourt,  is  so  lined . and  matted  that  no 
air  can  penetrate  but  from  the  front.’ 

January  6th. — ‘My  constant  attendance  upon, 
first  Mr.  Chute  and  then  Mr.  Whithed,  who  have  been 
ill  of  the  common  fever,  prevented  me  writing  to  you 
by  the  last  post.  It’s  quite  shocking  to  hear  how 
many  people  are  ill  of  this  disorder  all  over  Italy ; 
many  dye  ; a person  who  returned  a few  days  ago 
with  Ginori,  from  Vienna,  died  twenty  four  hours 
after.  The  poor  sickly  Countess  Guicciardini  went  off 
yesterday.  The  Count  must  marry  again,  having  no 
Heir  to  a very  great  Estate  which,  otherwise,  goes  to 
the  Certosi.  We  want  him  much  to  take  the  Teresina, 
who  is  as  likely  as  any  girl  in  Florence  to  bring  him  an 
heir  in  nine  months  ; neither  would  we  have  him 
observe  the  common  rules  of  decency,  as  the  Yittorina, 
her  sister,  is  in  great  haste  to  be  married.  Marquis 
Malinari  of  Milan,  a young  man  of  18,  almost  as  big 
as  Sinisani,  has  made  his  addresses  to  the  latter  for 
some  time,  and  has  declared  that  he  will  never  marry 
any  one  else;  he  is  said  to  have  of  his  own  18 
thousand  zeechins  a year.  His  uncle  is  Vice-Legate  of 
Bologna,  and  very  rich  too,  which  must  in  the  end 
come  to  Vittorina’s  children.  Things  are  so  forward 
that  Madame  Suares  tells  me,  they  waited  only  for 
the  last  answer  from  the  Legate  to  conclude  and  con- 
summate in  this  very  Carnival ; but  then  again  they 
are  all  melancholy  about  the  poor  disconsolate  Tere- 
sina, who  bears  it  extreme  well,  but  has  once  declared 
she  will  go  into  a convent,  though  they  are  in  hopes  it 
was  only  a little  melancholly  passing  thought.  The 
Brother’s  answer  and  consent  ought  to  have  been  here 


1743. 


THE  HOW  AGEE  ELECTEE  SS. 


139 


some  time  ago,  and  I must  own  I do  not  like  the 
delay.  It  looks  as  if  somebody  had  been  busy  to 
prevent  it,  but  the  excuse  is,  the  Vice-Legate  being  ill. 

‘ The  Electress  is  much  out  of  order  again.  She 
has  a fever  with  an  oppression  upon  her  breast,  and  a 
sore  leg.  People  don’t  seem  to  apprehend  her  to  be  in 
any  immediate  danger,  but  as  she  is  of  late  so  much 
decayed,  many  fear  she  won’t  get  on  this  winter.  She 
has  been  a good  deal  touched  with  the  news  of  the 
death  of  the  Elector  Palatine,  which  was  announced 
to  her  two  days  ago,  not  for  any  love  she  had  for  him, 
but  by  the  reflection,  I suppose,  that  an  Electress  may 
dye  too.  The  Emperor  is  said  to  be  very  ill  with  a 
Goute  remontee  and  the  stone.  What  alterations  his 
death  would  make  ! I fancy,  France,  at  present, 
would  hardly  make  a second  Emperor. 

‘ I have  not  been  at  any  of  the  Theaters  all  this  . 
week,  but  they  tell  me  they  are  totally  deserted.  The 
Via  della  Pergola  took  five  tickets  last  night.  Masks 
begin  to  go  about  the  streets  in  the  afternoon,  but  no 
permission  for  their  admittance  into  the  Theaters,  nor 
like  to  be.  The  Count  doesn’t  like  Pudolfi  ever  since 
the  affair  of  my  box,  and  the  depriving  him  of  masks 
is  the  most  essential  way  to  mortify  him  and  chastize 
his  purse  ; besides,  they  would  not  now  disoblige  the 
Electress,  who  will  be  most  extraordinarily  devout. 
Ginori  brought  her  a present  from  the  Queen  of  Hun- 
gary of  a large  pocket  bottle  for  Hungary  water,  of 
lapis  Lazuoli,  adorned  with  jewels  ; the  outer  case  was 
varnish  of  the  Queen’s  own  doing. 

£.  . . I have  had  a little  return  of  my  fever,  but 
am  now  totally  well  again,  and  have  got  over  it  with- 


140 


COLD  COMFORT. 


1743. 


out  bleeding,  by  resolving  so  to  do ; as  such  an  opera- 
tion weakens  me  immoderately.  General  Braitwitz  is 
in  a bad  way  with  this  universal  fever  ; he  returned 
from  Leghorn  on  Saturday  night  at  two  hours,  and  has 
been  very  ill  ever  since.  . . . Mr.  Chute  and  Whithed 
are  just  come  in.  I had  not  seen  them  for  three  days, 
as  the  weather  was  too  bad  for  them  to  come  out  after 
their  disorder,  and  I not  well  enough  to  go  to  them. 
It  is  a monstrous  sickly  time ; half  the  town  has 
fever.’ 

January  7th. — ‘I  caught  my  indisposition  by  a 
debauch  with  Madame  Sarasin,  and  over  fatigue. 
The  poor  devil  whom  everybody  abandons,  has  no 
resource  but  in  us ; the  moment  we  enter  Prince 
Craon’s,  she  seizes  us  for  a bit  of  Quadrille  Mediateur, 
which  she  sees  playing  all  round  the  room  without 
being  admitted  into  any  partie.  In  short,  she  lost 
vastly,  and  would  play  it  out  after  supper,  so  we  sat 
till  8 hours  ; it  was  the  first  time  I had  been  there  in  a 
fortnight,  and  was  the  last  that  I will  stay  supper  this 
winter  ; we  are  so  much  better  at  home,  so  warm  and 
comfortable,  such  good  apples,  and  so  little  to  eat 
that  one’s  sure  of  not  being  ill.  The  Chutes  are  quite 
of  my  mind  ; though  he,  poor  thing,  eats  nothing  but 
milk  to  keep  the  gout  under.’ 

‘ . . . Viviani,  who  escaped  to  the  Spaniards  as 
soon  as  they  came  into  Italy,  on  a full  persuasion  that 
they  were  to  be  masters  of  Tuscany,  has  been  some 
time  at  Madrid,  where  he  has  had  the  honour  to  be 
Italian  master  to  Don  Louis  and  his  sisters,  and  has 
made  great  interest  to  be  appointed  the  King  of 
Spain’s  minister  to  the  Great  Duke,  being  fearful 


1743. 


A DUEL. 


141 


to  return  without  a character  to  protect  him,  but  has 
not  been  able  to  obtain  it,  so  remains  in  Spain  still.’ 

January  7 th. — ‘Two  of  our  young  nobles,  Marquis 
Bagnesi  and  Strozzi,  have  fought  a duel  about  a debt 
of  fifteen  shillings.  The  latter,  the  creditor  and  occa- 
sion of  the  fight,  behaved  ill ; indeed  he  did  not  think 
it  would  go  so  far,  and  when  called  upon  by  the 
former,  said,  the  affair  was  settled  by  his  having 
applied  to  his  father,  to  which  Bagnesi  replied,  “ I may 
ask  my  father’s  blessing,  but  not  his  counsel  on  an 
affair  of  honour,”  so  that  he  forced  his  antagonist  to 
draw,  which  he  did,  but  instead  of  passing  or  defend- 
ing himself,  he  waved  his  sword  in  the  air,  and 
wheeled  about  so  often  that  his  back  was  as  often 
turned  round  towards  Bagnesi  as  his  face.  Lucky 
for  him  if  he  had  stuck  to  this  way,  by  which  ho 
might  have  come  off  with  a prick  in  his  noble  hinder 
part,  instead  of  a cut  in  his  lip  which  has  divided  it. 
This  was  done  by  accident  in  the  scuffling  when 
Bagnesi  wrested  the  sword  out  of  his  hand.  It  was 
immediately  sewed  up,  but  as  often  breaks  out  as  he 
attempts  to  speak,  to  recount  his  bravery. 

‘ Our  Opera  is  as  unfrequented  as  your’s  can  be, 
and  Iphigenia,  in  the  little  house,  totally  abandoned. 
The  Bagnolesi  is  highly  offended  with  the  town  for 
not  liking  her,  and,  what  both  Ridolfi  and  she  piqued 
themselves  upon,  her  cloathes ; to  ridicule  which,  a great 
Bejfana,  on  Epiphany  Day,  dressed  exactly  like  her,  was 
carried  all  over  the  town  with  a concert  of  horns.  You 
must  remember  what  an  abominable  noise  there  is 
here  on  that  day.  The  Electress  chose  that  day  to  go 
out  for  the  first  time  after  her  confinement,  and  told 


142 


AN  ILLUSTRIOUS  STRANGLE. 


1743. 


Prince  Craon  that  the  Beffane  all  went  abroad  on  that 
day. 

£ I have  been  interrupted  by  the  receipt  of  a letter 
from  the  Prince,  to  tell  me  that  he  is  under  the  most 
pressing  necessity  for  200  zecchini,  and  he  so  conjured 
me  to  lend  him  that  sum,  that  though  I had  it  not,  I 
could  not  say  no  ! Mr.  Whithed  has  very  kindly  fur- 
nished me  with  it.  The  prince  talks  in  his  letter  of 
pawning  his  jewels  and  plate.  I am  afraid  a great 
part  must  be  sold  to  pay  off  his  debts.  I am  sorry  for 
him,  but  ’tis  cruel  to  put  one  to  such  inconveniences.’ 

January  2,9th. — ‘ Everybody’s  curiosity  is  carried 
to  the  highest  degree,  and  all  arts  put  in  practice  to 
discover  who  a great  person  is  who  is  supposed  to  be 
on  board  a man-of-war  at  Leghorn,  which  furnishes 
great  speculation  for  the  Politicians  there.  Four 
persons  are  named  for  the  stranger, — the  King  of 
Sardinia,  King  Theodore,  Admiral  Matthews,  and  who 
do  you  think  else  ? why,  Sir  Robert  Walpole  ! and  do 
you  know  that  many  for  a while  seemed  persuaded  of 
it  ? The  second,  however,  is  generally  believed  to  be 
the  person.  His  Corsican  subjects  at  Leghorn  make 
no  secret  of  owning  that  they  have  expected  him  above 
a month,  and  among  our  folks  at  Leghorn,  the  secret  I 
believe  has  been  ill  kept,  though  most  religiously  from 
me.  Our  Consul  ’ (Goldworthy)  £ seems  to  have  hugged 
himself  with  it,  and  to  have  indulged  the  pleasure 
many  have  alone  in  knowing  a secret,  that  of  telling 
it,  though  in  great  confidence,  to  everybody.  . . . ’Tis 
undoubtedly  his  Corsican  Majesty,  whose  affairs  I 
greatly  fear  may  suffer  by  being  discovered.  Don’t 
mention  it,  my  dear,  however,  in  England,  as  it  would 


1743. 


A POOR  RICH  MAN. 


143 


be  known  to  come  from  me.  There  was  not  an  English 
Giovanni  di  Barco  to  whom  it  was  not  whispered,  but 
such  art  used  by  Goldworthy  to  conceal  it  from  me, 
that  was  quite  impertinent. 

‘ The  epidemic  colds  encrease  much  ; poor  Bosso 
Strozzi  died  of  one,  two  days  ago.  The  instant  he 
was  taken  ill,  he  was  persuaded  he  should  dye,  and 
refused  to  see  anybody ; even  my  neighbour,  Anna 
Frescobaldi,  his  Cicisbea  of  30  years  standing  was 
forbid.  He  was  so  poor  (chiefly  by  mismanagement, 
for  he  had  5000  crowns  a year)  that  during  his  illness, 
his  servants  were  forced  to  send  to  his  acquaintance, 
for  shirts  and  sheets  for  him  to  change.  Every  crea- 
ture is  sorry  for  his  death,  except  his  Heirs  and  his 
horses.  Of  the  latter,  he  had  always  a great  many 
in  his  stables,  but  seldom  anything  for  them  to  eat. 
They  now  will  probably  fall  into  hands  that  will  feed 
them.  The  former,  very  distant  relations  (for  the 
great  branch  of  the  great  Strozzi  family  is  now  ex- 
tinct) will  inherit  near  a hundred  and  fifty  thousand 
crowns,  and  the  poor  creature  managed  so  ill,  that 
litteraly,  in  his  great  house  and  appearance  of  so  much 
state,  was  starving.  A great  employment  or  office  is 
by  his  death  become  vacant  at  our  Court,  that  of 
Great  Master  of  the  Ceremonies,  and  Introductor  of 
Ambassadors.  I don’t  hear  who  is  talked  of  for  it, 
but  I intend  to  recommend  Nunziato  Baldocci  who 
was  his  deputy.  That  poor  creature  was  here  some 
nights  ago ; somebody  was  talking  of  Montemar,  and 
said  he  always  carried  Caesar  in  his  pocket,  as  a model 
of  everything  great  in  the  military  way.  Nunziato 
did  not  comprehend  anything  of  this,  and  in  the 


144 


THE  INFLUENZA. 


1748. 


greatest  surprize,  said,  “ Come,  come  ! Cesare  in  tasca  ! 
Come,  mai,  Cesare  in  tasca  ? ” thinking  even  a bust 
of  him  would  have  been  a troublesome  pocket-piece  ! 
Everybody  was  highly  entertained  with  his  mistake, 
and  more  at  his  astonishment  when  he  found  that 
“ Caesar  ” was  a book ! ’ 

February  12th. — ‘We  have  strange  melancholly 
doings  here.  Everybody  is  ill  of  the  Influenza,  and 
many  dye,  particularly  among  the  poor  people.  Of 
the  rich,  or  rather  nobile,  we  lost  in  the  last  week,  the 
Abbe  Capponi  who  lived  with  the  eldest  Pandolfini, 
the  promoter  of  all  musical  matters,  and  Count  Pecori, 
my  next  door  neighbour,  the  unkle  of  the  young 
Count,  Cicisbeo  to  the  Pepi,  who,  last  summer  married 
Leopolda  Peruzzi,  out  of  spite  to  his  nephew  ; she  is 
pittied  by  everybody.  The  Conderoli  at  Rome  dye 
a-pace — Pieri,  Guadici,  and  Corradine  went  off  lately. 
Many  others  are  in  an  excessive  tottering  condition. 

‘ A courier  passed  by  yesterday,  for  Rome,  with 
the  news  of  the  death  of  Arch-Cardinal  Eleuri,  so 
that  there  are  22  hats  vacant.  The  latter  can  be,  I 
suppose,  of  little  consequence  now  ; had  he  dyed  a 
few  years  ago,  it  had  been  happy  for  many,  but  he 
lived  to  do  all  the  mischief  possible.  Could  he  have 
attoned  for  it  here  below  it  would  have  been  right, 
for  it’s  difficult  to  guess  how  mortal  transactions  are 
understood  out  of  mortal  latitudes.  .1  make  no  doubt 
but  Tencin  will  work  himself  into  his  master’s  favour, 
notwithstanding  his  (the  King’s)  declaration  that  his 
late  nurse  shall  have  no  successor.  If  that  should 
happen  both  his  head  and  heart  are  capable  of  much 
mischief,  and  woe  be  to  us  as  far  as  it  may  be  in  his 


1743.  DEATH  OF  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  COSMO  III.  145 


power  to  hurt  us.  Much  caballing  has  been  observed 
at  Rome  in  ’proportion  as  the  Cardinal  drew  near  his 
end.  Tencin  is  supposed  to  promise  great  matters  to 
his  Protector,  whom  he  will  now  protect. 

‘ I told  you  in  my  last,  Theodore  was  come  on  the 
stage  again ; he  set  out  to  take  possession  of  his  throne 
about  a week  ago.  He  sent  me  the  Edict  that  was 
to  be  published.  ...  We  have  heard  nothing  of  him 
since  his  departure/ 

February  18 m. — 'All  our  jollity  is  at  an  end,  our 
Carnival  overset  and  all  the  masking  schemes  dis- 
appointed ; the  Electress  died  about  an  hour  ago  ; the 
poor  remains  of  the  Medici  is  soon  to  join  her  ances- 
tors,— I mean  in  the  Chappel  of  Michel  Angelo.  The 
common  people  are  convinced  she  went  off  in  a hur- 
ricane of  wind ; a most  violent  one  began  this  morning 
and  lasted  for  about  two  hours,  and  now  the  sun 
shines  as  bright  as  ever,  this  is  proof ; besides  for  a 
stronger,  just  the  same  thing  happened  when  John 
Gaston  (Medici)  went  off.  Nothing  can  destroy  this 
opinion  which  people  think  they  have  been  eye- 
witnesses to.  All  the  town  is  in  tears,  many  with 
great  reason,  for  the  loss  of  her  ; it  is  very  visible, 
however,  it  would  have  affected  many  much  less,  had 
she  staid  till  the  beginning  of  Lent.  Nobody  appre- 
hended she  was  so  near  her  end ; her  courtiers  were 
last  night  at  the  Opera.  In  the  night  she  grew  bad  ; 
this  morning  at  16  took  the  sacrament  and_  an  hour 
after  had  the  extreme  unction.  I am  really  sorry 
for  the  country  ; there  will  be  no  more  disputes  about 
the  Jewels  ; nor  will  the  Great  Duke  have  anybody 
to  dispute  with  him  about  anything  he  likes  to  do  ; 


VOL.  I. 


L 


146 


STRANGE  ABBANGEMmTS. 


1743. 


what  that  will  be  everybody  is  impatient  to  see. 
Prince  OttavO  de5  Medici  was  likewise  at  the  point 
of  death,  by  the  last  accounts  from  Leghorn,  where 
he  had  accompanied  the  Sani  who  was  his  favourite, 
and  the  first  singer  in  that  Opera.  The  death  of  the 
Electress  employs  the  discourse  of  the  whole  town  ; 
it  has  made  us  forget  the  Spaniards,  but  they  who 
remember  them  think  it  is  most  fortunate  they  have 
been  routed  before  the  other  happened,  and  ’tis  hoped 
they  are  not  in  a condition  to  come  here  to  make  good 
their  pretensions  to  her  great  inheritance.  The  instant 
she  expired,  the  gates  of  the  town  were  shut  and  not 
a creature  permitted  to  go  out,  so  that  many  hundred 
people  from  the  country  were  obliged  to  stay  in  Flo- 
rence all  last  night,  even  the  french  courier  was  not 
permitted  to  go.  These  precautions  were  interpreted 
that  the  Spaniards  might  not  be  apprised  of  it.  The 
guards  were  tripled  in  and  about  the  palace,  and  last 
night  late  there  was  a Council  what  to  do.  I can’t 
tell  nor  have  yet  heard  any  particular’s  about  her 

wm/ 

February  1 8th. — c I have  scratched  out  the  odious 
name  ’ (Sasso  Ferrato  on  the  back  of  the  alleged  Dome- 
nichino)  c myself,  so  well  that  nobody  can  have  the 
least  suspicion ; so  that  on  this  account  you  may  be 
quite  at  peace.  Some  fools  of  our  country  have  been 
lately  here,  and  when  they  were  told  to  admire  it, 
“ 0 Lord  ! ” said  they,  “ that  is  a fine  picture  indeed  ; 
I have  seen  many  Italian  pictures,  but  none  like  that ; 
pray,  Sir,  what  may  it  be  worth  ? ” — “ Why,  what  do 
you  think  ?” — “ Really,  Sir,  I am  no  good  judge,  but 
I should  think  at  least  5 thousand  pounds  ; for  Bri- 


1743. 


TRAVELLING  ENGLISH. 


147 


gadier  Guise  has  a small  fine  Italian  picture  in  mina- 
ture  of  Carlo  Maratti  which,  he  says,  cost  him  1500 
pounds.”  They  dined  here  yesterday,  and  I disobliged 
a Parson  violently  by  not  inviting  him  to  say  grace. 
One  of  ’em  being  asked  to  eat  beef,  replied,  “ No,  Sir, 
I thank  you,  I’ll  take  a little  of  the  chicken  pye, 
because  it’s  a greater  rarity ; indeed,  it  looks  pure 
good.”  Then  I gave  them  coffy  out  of  your  Saxon 
cups  which  I was  afraid  they  would  break  by  their 
wonderfull  care  to  avoid  it.  The  Parson  would  not 
go  to  the  Opera,  because  ’twas  Sunday,  and  must  now 
go  to  the  fleet  without  hearing  any  Italian  Opera, 
because  there  will  be  no  more.’ 

February  25th. — ‘ I have  been  assured  that  there 
were  six  authentick  copies  of  the  Electress’s  will,  some 
say  more  ; that  one  of  them  was  deposited  at  Rome, 
and  others  in  different  hands ; one  was  delivered  to 
her  Executors,  who  are  four  Senators,  D’Alberazino, 
Mignati,  Compagni.  and  Queratori,  who  have  yearly 
pensions  assigned  them  of  120  crowns  ; all  her  Cour- 
tiers and  Servants  are  to  have  their  salaries  for  life ; 
to  pay  which,  a considerable  sum  of  money  was 
deposited  in  the  bank  of  Sta.  Maria  Nuova,  Marquis 
Rinuncini  (the  father)  has  600  crowns  for  life,  besides 
which  he  has  a much  larger  income  from  a former 
agreement  made  with  Cardinal  Albani,  by  which  the 
Electress  gave  up  her  pretentions  to  some  Church 
lands  in  the  State  of  Urbino,  in  consideration  of  a 
yearly  pension  of  about  2000  crowns  to  her  and, 
after  her  death,  to  whom  she  should  name,  and 
this  was  Rinnncini  . . . besides  this,  he  has  a con- 
siderable legacy  of  rich  furniture ; they  say,  a silver 


148 


TEE  ELECTEES  8 WILL. 


1743. 


table,  two  silver  stands,  two  sconces,  and  one  of  those 
magnificent  glasses  with  a silver  frame  which  you  may 
have  seen  in  her  Audience  Room.  Young  Rinuncini 
has  300  crowns,  for  life,  yearly,  and  half  her  china, 
the  other  half  to  Coroni ; Tornaquerci,  the  same  pen- 
sion for  life.  Marquis  Guadagni,  ‘ the  Great  Master/ 
Siristori,  the  father,  and  Bardi,  have  all,  besides  their 
salaries,  very  rich  presents  in  silver.  Madame  Uguc- 
cioni’s  share,  ’tis  said,  will  be  very  great.  You  know, 
she  was  her  Great  Mistress  ; she  has  the  spoglie  of 
a particular  room  in  which,  besides  many  things  of 
value,  were  pieces  of  velvet  brocade,  linnen  etc.,  etc., 
to  the  value  of  10,000  crowns;  and  they  talk  of  a 
Toilette,  partly  of  gold,  all  which,  the  son  believes,  was 
purposely  put  into  a large  stone  box.  Her  ladies  of 
honour  have  presents  and  the  usual  fortune  in  case  of 
marriage.  I should  have  mentioned  the  Great  Duke, 
first,  as  He  is  the  most  considerable  gainer  by  her 
death.  She  leaves  to  him  as  Great  Duke,  most  of 
her  Jewels,  annexing  them  to  those  of  the  State,  with 
which  they  are  to  descend  ; they  were  valued  some 
time  ago  at  a million  and  a half  of  crowns,  but  it  is 
very  probable  the  Jeweller  thought  to  make  his  court 
to  her  by  so  high  an  estimation  which  in  Sterling 
would  be  375  thousand  pounds.  They  were  her 
own  wearing  Jewels.  He  is  heir  to  a thousand  other 
things,  but  what  will  displease  extremely  is  the  naming 
of  a Medici  of  the  Via  Larga,  her  nearest  relation,  one 
of  whom  she  took  no  notice  nor  acknowledged  in  her 
life  time ; a person  very  obscure  and  no  more  than 
a Commissary  at  Prato  ; to  him,  as  her  pin  prossimo 
Agnato,  she  has  left  in  money,  30,000  crowns,  and 


1743. 


BEQUESTS. 


149 


as  people  to  whom  pensions  are  given,  dye  off,  they 
are  to  be  given  to  him,  till  the  sum  is  made  up  to 
100,000  crowns.  The  money,  in  all  probability,  will 
not  give  so  much  uneasiness  as  the  declaration  above, 
which  in  times  more  troublesome  would  give  him 
pretensions  to  more.  She  has  left  presents  in  jewels 
to  the  Queen  of  Hungary,  Prince  Charles,  and  they 
say  to  several  Princes  of  Germany  ; but  the  principal 
legacy  is  to  the  Prince  of  Salzbach,  present  Elector 
Palatine,  which  is  very  considerable.  The  Pope  is 
to  have  a Picture,  they  say  that  of  Solomeni  with 
the  fine  silver  frame. 

‘ The  Count  (Richecourt)  had  a commission  (dated 
1738)  from  the  Great  Duke  to  act  for  him,  in  case  of 
her  death,  on  the  strength  of  which  he  ivould  be 
present  at  everything,  and  sealed  up  all  the  doors  of 
her  appartments  and  cabinets,  so  that  nothing  is  to  be 
done  but  burying  her,  till  the  Great  Duke  sends  orders. 

. . . Mr.  Chute  says  he  is  very  glad  she  left  him 
nothing  as  he  should  despair  of  getting  it.  She  was  so 
much  set  upon  finishing  the  Chappel  of  St.  Laurence, 
of  late  years,  and  has  spent  such  large  sums  about  it, 
that  people  were  astonished  she  left  nothing  for  carry- 
ing the  work  on ; she  only  leaves  50  crowns  a year 
for  taking  care  of  it,  and  recommends  the  finishing  of 
it  to  the  Great  Duke.  The  workmen  were  all  turned 
off  the  day  after  her  death.  I have  been  assured  that 
she  was  at  1000  crowns  a week  expence  on  the  build- 
ing. People  who  pretend  to  know,  assert  that  for  a 
considerable  time  past,  she  has  given  in  charities  1000 
zecchins  a month,  and  it  is  well  known,  the  be- 
ginning of  her  illness,  that  in  one  month  she  distributed 


150 


LEGACIES. 


1743. 


9000  zecchins.  I don’t  hear  she  has  left  anything  to 
the  poor,  for  which  they  are  all  in  despair,  and  are 
firmly  persuaded  that  the  Devil  came  for  her  in  the 
Temporcile  which  happened  so  suddenly  at  the  time  of 
death  and  ended  with  it.  She  certainly  did  not  ex- 
pect to  dye  so  soon,  nor  did  anybody  else.  The  fryday 
before  the  monday  she  dyed,  she  was  so  tollerably  well 
that  the  Physicians  made  her  encrease  her  diet,  and 
she  told  Mgr.  Uggucioni  that  she  was  perfectly  easy. 
On  the  Sunday  night  she  had  a more  than  usual 
oppression  on  her  breast,  for  which  they  blooded  her, 
and  to  which  many  attribute  her  death.  On  the  mon- 
day morning,  her  Confessor  by  a stratagem  was  carried 
to  her,  for  she  would  not  have  him  sent  for,  and  about 
17  hours,  he  was  bid  tell  her  she  must  soon  dye,  to 
which  she  answered  by  asking  him  with  some  emotion, 
“ Who  told  you  so?”  he  said:  “her  physicians.” — 
“ Very  well,  then  let  us  do  what  there  is  to  be  done  ; 
and  do  it  quickly.”  So  they  brought  her  the  com- 
munion. She  afterwards  made  a Codicile  to  her  will, 
but  could  not  sign  it ; but  3 people  and  a lawyer 
attached  what  she  ordered.  She  was  sensible  to  the 
last,  but  did  not  speak  for  about  an  hour  and  a half 
before  she  died.  Primer  Ottavo  de’  Medici  died  at 
Leghorn  about  12  hours  before  her.  She  had  left  him 
a large  diamond  ring  ; he  is  acknowledged  in  her  will, 
in  the  3rd  degree  of  Relation.  He  always  pretended 
to  be  the  first.  The  Codicile  she  made  to  her  will  was 
to  give  to  the  present  Elector  Palatine  what  she  had 
before  left  to  the  late  Elector.  ’Tis  said  about  the 
town  that  there’s  a legacy  for  il  Re  cV Anghelterra,  but 
I am  afraid  it  is  for  one  she  calls  so,  at  Rome ; but  I 


1743. 


TEE  FUNERAL. 


151 


have  not  thought  proper  to  make  any  enquiries  for  it 
yet.  Her  orders  were,  not  to  he  embalmed,  but  they 
were  interpreted  as  being  given  out  of  modesty  only, 
and  so  not  complied  with.  She  has  lain  in  state  in  the 
great  hall  of  the  palace  since  thursday  morning  and  is 
to  be  buried  to-night,  Saturday,  of  which  I’ll  add  more 
when  I have  seen  it,  for  which  purpose  I am  going  to 
Madame  Suares’s  with  a train  of  English. 

‘ Sunday  morning.  There  was  nothing  extra- 
ordinary in  the  funeral  last  night.  All  the  magnifi- 
cence consisted  in  a prodigious  number  of  torches 
carried  by  the  different  orders  of  priests,  the  expense 
of  which  in  lights,  they  say,  amounted  to  12  thousand 
crowns.  The  body  was  in  a sort  of  a Coach  quite 
open,  with  a Canopy  over  her  head ; two  other  coaches 
followed  with  her  ladies  ; as  soon  as  the  procession  was 
passed  by  Madame  Suares’s,  I went  a back  way  to  St. 
Laurence  where  I had  been  invited  by  the  Master  of 
the  Ceremonies ; here  was  nothing  very  particular  but 
my  being  placed  next  to  Lady  Walpole,  who  is  so 
angry  with  me  that  she  would  not  even  give  me  the 
opportunity  of  making  her  a bow,  which  for  the  future, 
since  I see  it  will  be  disagreeable  to  her,  I will  never 
offer  to  do  again. 

‘I  was  last  night  at  the  Princess’s  for  an  hour, 
where  I have  not  been  for  a month.  . . . She  was  epuisee 
to  the  greatest  degree,  having  as  Madame  Sarasin  told 
me  “une  maladie  qui  la  fait  trotter  beaucoup.”  . . . 
Her  enquiries  after  you  were  infinitely  great  in  pro- 
portion to  her  strength.  By  degrees,  I got  out  of  the 
Prince,  a certainty  about  the  legacy  I mentioned  for 
il  Re,  ’tis  as  I expected,  but  mind  with  what  delicacy 


152 


THE  MEDICI. 


1743. 


and  circumspection — a Ring — “ for  the  Prince,  son  of 
King  James  the  Second  of  England.”  5 

March  5 th. — c Whether  the  greatest  part  of  the 
will  will  ever  be  executed  we  are  still  to  learn,  every- 
thing being  suspended  till  the  arrival  of  orders  from 
Vienna.  Some  people  have  taken  great  liberties  about 
the  matter,  supposing  the  value  of  the  legacies  being 
an  impediment  to  their  being  complied  with.  Others, 
Richecourt,  etc.,  pretend  to  have  discovered  by  great 
calculation  that,  after  all  is  complied  with,  the  person 
who  ought  to  have  inherited  all,  will  have  but  nineteen 
crowns  a year  left ; but  everybody  does  not  allow  this 
calculation  to  be  just,  and  pretend  to  prove  by  what  is 
visible  in  the  publick  funds  here,  that  in  money  there 
alone,  she  had  near  two  millions,  and  that  the  legacies 
in  money  are  very  inconsiderable  in  proportion.  That 
to  her  Agnato,  in  money,  jewels,  and  plate,  will  amount, 
they  say,  to  150,000  crowns. 

‘ What  unaccountable  people  these  Medici  have 
been.  The  Electress  acknowledges  her  Relations  after 
her  death,  and  Princess  Eleanora’s  children  are  her 
husband’s  ! 

‘We  should  have  more  amusement  during  Lent 
than  we  had  in  the  Carnival.  Eilippo  Medici,  who 
was  almost  ruined  by  his  cousin’s  death,  being  Im- 
presario for  the  little  Theatre,  has  now  begun  an 
Accademia  in  a large  room  close  to  it,  where  I find  it 
will  be  greatly  the  fashion  to  go.  He  said  publickly 
there  on  Monday  night:  “ The  Electress  hated  masks 
so  heartily  that  she  died  on  purpose  to  put  a stop  to 
them  ! ” and  afterwards, — “By  such  a step  she  found 
the  only  means  to  make  the  House  of  Medici  weep!” — 


1743. 


A DUEL. 


153 


It  was  vastly  applauded,  but  you  must  know  he  is  not 
the  least  related  to  her  family.  . . . Everything  goes 
on  as  usual  except  that  Prince  Craon  shuns  me  now 
I am  his  creditor.’ 

March  12th. — ‘ Instead  of  notice  to  go  into  mourn- 
ing for  the  Electress,  I have  received  a notice  from 
Nunziato  Balducci  (deputy  to  Resso  Strozzi)  that 
here  is  to  he  Gala  to-morrow  for  the  Arch-Duke’s 
birthday.’ 

March  12th. — ‘ Your  Princess  Elisabetta’s  brother, 
Gigi,  has  fought  with  a Lorraine  officer ; the  latter  was 
the  aggressor.  They  both  behaved  well.  Gigi  was 
wounded  . . . and  the  sword  then  pierced  his  thigh. 
He  bled  much  but  would  not  leave  off,  it  being  said 
that  his  own  blood  could  not  wash  out  the  affront  he 
had  received,  so  fought  on  till  he  had  wounded  his 
adversary  in  the  hand ; then,  there  being  blood  on 
both  sides,  they  kissed  and  went  home  to  bed,  where 
Gigi  remains  still  under  the  surgeon’s  hands.’ 

March  12th. — ‘ Cardinal  Colonna  died  suddenly 
last  week.  His  death  makes  a vacancy  of  24  Hats. 
People  are  extreme  angry  the  Pope  won’t  make  a 
promotion,  as  24  little  courts  are  suppressed  at  Rome, 
to  the  great  prejudice  of  many  that  want  to  be  em- 
ployed in  them.’ 

March  12th. — ‘ Ginori  has  pressed  me  much  to  write 
to  you  about  some  tea  seed  which  he  hears,  is  to  be 
procured  in  England,  and  he  believes  in  the  Botanick 
Gardens  at  Chelsea.  If  you  could  get  a small  quan- 
tity of  it  pray  send  it  me  with  directions  about  planting 
it,  or  any  other  curious  Exotick.  He  is  mad  after 
these  things,  has  a place  tollerably  well  furnished  with 


154 


KING  THEODORE. 


1743. 


them  and  is  at  great  expence  in  raising  them  as  well  as 
his  China.  He  talks  to  me  much  about  Cobolt  and 
Zingho  (sic)  two  minerals  which,  he  says,  are  found  in 
England,  and  which  would  be  vastly  useful  to  him  in 
composing  the  colours  for  the  painting  his  China.  He 
will  make  me  a present  of  some  with  my  arms.  How 
it  will  turn  out  I can’t  tell,  for  I have  seen  none  very 
good  yet,  except  the  miniature  painting  on  it  which  is 
extreme  good.  He  has  all  sorts  of  workmen  from 
Saxony.’ 

March  19  ill. — ‘ The  Mystery  ’ (King  Theodore  of 
Corsica)  ‘ has  come  to  Florence.  I had  a mysterious 
conference  with  it,  last  night.  The  Chutes  were  shut 
into  the  other  apartment  for  four  hours,  and  I am 
going  to  it,  in  a cloak,  on  foot,  whilst  they  go  to  the 
Accademy,  as  soon  as  it  is  dark.’ 

‘ Monday  morning  : I was  last  night  for  four  hours 
in  private  with  this  Ghost.  Hid  you  hear  that  it  was 
uncle  to  Lady  Yarmouth  ? It  has  talked  to  me  of  all 
its  adventures,  and  strange  they  are.  Lord  Carteret 
is  his  great  friend,  but  Lord  Orford,  he  says,  was  the 
most  attached  to  him,  and  interested  for  the  sake  of 
his  affairs.  You  might  tell  him  these  things  and 
know  how  far  he  concerned  himself  in  them.  I am 
quite  at  a loss  how  to  behave,  as  I have  had  no  orders 
at  all.  I wrote  to  Lord  Carteret,  to  inclose  a letter 
from  the  Mystery,  (which  call  in  your  list,  20,  and  its 
tomb  (Corsica -Siracoc,)  60.  We  studied  together  the 
science  of  Gatimoncilia  and  travelled  so  far  in  the 
pais  des  desirs  that  you  will  soon  be  an  fait  of 
Siracoc . The  affair  seems  to  have  been  mismanaged 
by  the  underlings  of  the  Fleet,  if  it  be  true  that  the 


1743. 


NAVAL  BATTLE. 


155 


King,  Lord  Carteret,  and  the  Duke  of  Newcastle  gave 
such  possitive  orders  about  it.  II  Furibondo  has  been 
wrote  to  again,  but  in  the  mean  time,  King  Theodore 
is  upon  our  hands,  and  we  are  equally  embroiled  as 
there  is  nothing  can  be  kept  secret.  Strange  com- 
plaints from  him  of  my  neighbour  Goldworthy, — his 
(Theodore’s)  letters  opened,  others  detained,  etc.  I am 
quite  sorry.  I don’t  know  how  far  the  English  Court 
is  engaged  in  all  these  matters.’ 

March  19th. — ‘I  must  tell  you  our  feats  at  sea. 
Y ou  may  have  heard  there  was  a large  Spanish  ship, 
the  St.  Isidore,  disabled  in  a Port  in  Corsica,  on  which 
we  have  had  an  eye  for  a long  time,  and  it  was 
doomed  to  be  destroyed.  A little  time  ago  four  ships 
and  a fire  ship  were  sent  thither  for  that  purpose. 
The  Captain  of  the  St.  Isidore,  seeing  there  was  no 
redemption,  saved  our  folks  the  trouble  of  destroying 
her,  he  first  fired  all  his  guns  against  our  ships  and 
then  set  fire  to  all  the  combustible  matter  he  had 
prepared,  which  in  a very  short  time  made  her  sink 
so  suddenly  that  72  Spaniards  were  burnt  or  drowned. 
Two  men  on  board  the  Revenge  lost  each  an  arm.  At 
the  same  time  we  heard  about  this  we  were  likewise 
informed  that  one  of  our  ships  which  cruize  about 
Genoa,  took  the  felucca  which  was  crossing  over  with 
the  standards  and  the  half  kettle  drums  that  the 
Spaniards  picked  up  in  the  late  engagement,  and 
which  were  carrying  to  Spain  as  trophies  of  what 
they  call  their  victory  at  Buon  Porto.’ 

March  1 9 th. — cMy  brother  writes  me  word,  our 
father  is  as  well  as  ever,  so  I find  he  will  not  be  our 
father  which  art  in  Heaven.  My  letter,  which  you 


156 


KING  THEODORE. 


1748. 


saw,  produced  the  effect  I foresaw,  a most  violent  fit 
of  passion  and  abuse  ; lie  has  never  made  me  any 
answer,  so  I find  he  has  quite  abandoned  me.  I have 
wrote  to  my  mother  too,  but  have  had  no  reply. 
Amongst  much  nonsense  he  talked  to  Gal  in  the 
utmost  rage,  there  was  this,  “ that  he  could  not,  nor 
would,  allow  me  more  than  he  did ! ” Anybody 
would  be  surprised  to  hear  after  this,  that  he  literally 
allows  me  nothing  ! ’ 

March  — f Jesus  ! a fourth  letter  from  Theo- 

dore. He  makes  me  quite  wild  as  I cannot  make 
anything  out  of  his  matters,  knowing  nothing  but 
what  he  tells  me.  He  is  visionary  to  the  last  degree. 
I want  to  get  him  away,  as  I think  him  in  infinite 
danger.  I am  to  go  again  to  him  as  soon  as  it’s  dark, 
with  a cloak  and  a dark  lanthorn.  I am  not  used  to 
it,  and  by  no  means  approve  of  it.’ 

March  26th.— King  Theodore  is  still  here,  but  I 
have  left  off  seeing  him  as  I don’t  hear  or  approve  of 
the  thing,  and  then  my  going  might  be  a means  of 
discovering  his  local  existence,  which  is  the  only  secret 
now.  I confess  to  you  I should  be  glad  of  his  success, 
but  then  I am  too  delicate  to  wish  England  accessory 
to  it.  It  would  be  no  credit  or  honour,  nay  I believe 
quire  the  reverse.  He  told  me  an  odd  thing  which 
would  justify  the  great  intimacy  he  pretends  to  have 
with  Lord  Carteret.  He  says,  Lord  Carteret  told 
him  that  Lady  Walpole  applied  to  one  of  Hanover 
about  the  King  to  induce  the  King  to  pity  her.  . . . 
I was  surprised  to  hear  him  talk  of  these  things,  and 
I cut  him  short  by  telling  him  that  I knew  nothing  of 
them,  but  was  well  persuaded  the  King  was  too  just 


174:3. 


AN  ILLITERATE  ADMIRAL. 


157 


to  intermeddle  in  private  affairs.  The  circumstantial 
manner  in  which  he  speaks  of  them  would  almost 
persuade  me  that  some  part  is  true.’ 

March  2 6th. — ‘ ’Tis  wonderful  how  void  Admiral 
Matthews  is  of  common  sense,  good  manners,  or 
knowledge  of  the  world.  He  understands  nothing 
but  yes  and  no,  and  knows  no  medium.  His  treat- 
ment of  the  King  of  Naples  is  not  justifiable  ; the 
end  might  have  been  brought  about  full  as  well  with 
a proper  decency,  but  nothing  can  exceed  his  repeated 
ill-mannerly  threats,  after.  Would  it  not  have  been 
better,  to  have  had  some  discreet  person  go  and  deliver 
a civil  message  ; the  request  was  reasonable  and  must 
have  been  granted,  and  so  there  would  have  been  an. 
end.  He  owns  in  his  last  to  me  that  he  has  had  no 
order  for  any  thing  since  the  first  message,  and  I 
believe  is  sorry  for  what  he  has  done.  I am  sorry  to 
hear  the  English  spoke  of  with  such  disrespect.  I 
own  he  has  given  cause, — “ There  is  nothing  we  may 
not  expect  from  him  after  the  affair  at  Marciana  ! ” — 
say  the  Italians.  It  was  indeed  cruel  and  barbarous 
to  the  highest  degree,  and  I am  sure  could  not  be 
approved  of ; what  provokes  me  strangely  is  that 
people  won’t  distinguish  between  fish  and  flesh.  The 
next  age  will,  it  is  to  be  hoped,  produce  more  genteel 
porpusses.  . . . Matthews  has  sent  me  a ridiculous 
note  wrote  by  the  claw  of  a great  lobster,  by  way 
of  thanks  for  a present  I sent  of  some  Cedrati  and 
Marzolini  cheeses,  which  are  more  delicate  than  our 
cream  cheeses  in  England : “I  am  much  oblig’d  to 
you  for  you1'  kinde  present ; the  sweetmeats  is  good  ; 
so  sayes  sume  of  my  Gentlm11  is  ye  cheeses  ; but  its  to 


158 


SMALL  TALK. 


1743. 


good  for  me ; I love  nothing  after  yc  French  fashion.” 
Is  not  this  charming.’ 

March  28 th, — 'Princess  Craon  on  Saturday  last 
received  great  honours  in  the  sight  of  Angels  and 
Men.  She  represented  the  Great  Dutchess  in  the 
ceremony  of  the  Dota.  She  walked  in  procession, 
from  the  Nunciata  to  St.  Lorenzo,  in  a high  court 
dress,  with  a violent  train  carried  by  her  page,  and  had 
50  Dame  to  attend  her ; an  attelage  of  the  Great 
Duke  with  8 servants  in  his  livery,  and  another  of  her 
own  with  as  many  more.  This  ceremony  is  now 
assigned  to  the  Princess  only,  with  which  she  has 
great  comfort.’ 

March  2 6th. — ‘ Giovanaro  has  quite  abandoned  the 
Vitelli,  and  nobody  supplies  his  place ; they  say  he 
now  thinks  of  matrimony,  and  has  favourable  thoughts 
of  the  Teresina.  She  has  refused  two  or  three,  because 
they  were  piu  vecchio  del  Signor  Padre.  I think  she 
was  vastly  in  the  right ; the  Vittorina’s  affair  is  still 
depending.’ 

April  2nd. — ‘ Sturgiss  is  in  a very  declining  way 
...  he  has  been  in  a sort  of  despair ; and  within  these 
three  weeks  has  refused  to  see  anybody,  and  if  he  had, 
they  say  would  have  frightened  them,  he  was  so  worn 
and  yellow  with  the  jaundice.  It  is  believed  he  will 
not  live  till  night.  I can  assure  you,  my  lady  won't 
be  sorry  for  it ; she  has  long  since  been  tired  of  him. 

I am  afraid  she  will  send  to  me  to  bury  him  . . . 
Strange  new  English  creatures  came  to  be  carried  to 
the  concert.  I planted  them  the  moment  I had  in- 
troduced them.  Nothing  was  talked  of  there,  but 
Sturgiss’s  death,  for  which  nobody  can  give  any  account 


1743. 


the  '■  btjrletta: 


159 


but  despair.  None  of  the  family  or  Pasquale  the 
Physician  thought  him  in  immediate  danger  two  days 
before.  My  lady  was  touched  by  this  last  action 
(his  death)  though  nothing  he  had  done  some  years 
before  ever  moved  her.  He  is  to  be  sent  to  Leghorn 
to-night/ 

April  2nd. — c The  Pope  is  enraged  to  the  highest 
degree,  threatens  to  excommunicate  and  play  the  Devil, 
he  must  however  have  patience  and  provide  for  two 
armies/ 

April  2nd. — ‘ We  hear  Vanneschi  is  dead.  Bon- 
ducci  heard  he  had  succeeded  well  in  England,  made 
Operas,  cheated  Lord  Middlesex,  changed  his  religion, 
and  married  a Dam  a.  He  desires  me  to  recommend  him 
to  you  as  his  successor.  I fancy  he  would  turn  his 
hand  to  all,  and  he  depends  much  on  your  recommen- 
dation. Pertici  the  Buffo  man  and  his  companion  the 
Tinea  nera  want  sadly  to  perform  in  England.  They 
were  last  year  in  treaty  by  means  of  Smith  at  Yenise, 
but  were  engaged.  He  tells  me  he  has  heard  that  a 
word  to  you  in  their  favour  would  bring  it  about,  and 
he  hoped  you  was  his  friend,  for  you  laughed  pro- 
digiously at  him  when  he  acted  his  burletta.  I am 
afraid  this  sort  of  amusement  would  not  do  in  England 
where  the  language  is  so  little  understood  and  in 
which  the  only  beauty  is  the  frizzo  (the  smart  wit). 
Perhaps  however  some  of  our  youngsters  who  never 
offered  to  speak  Italian  in  Italy,  would  feel  an 
hundred  beauties  in  that  unintelligibility/ 

May  21st. — ‘ To-morrow  I am  to  have  company  at 
dinner,  nay,  the  whole  day,  to  see  a great  function 
from  my  garden  windows.  ...  In  the  beginning  of  the 


160 


IL  FUB1BONDO. 


1743. 


winter  a very  troublesome  neighbour  of  mine  died  of  a 
cracked  constitution,  and  particularly  of  a hoarseness  ; 
— at  which  I and  all  my  neighbours  rejoiced  much,  not 
foreseeing  that  his  appartment  would  be  filled  by  a 
much  more  troublesome  guest ; but  so  it  is  that  the 
new  comer,  though  very  young,  is  of  a monstrous  size, 
and  is  to  be  installed  to-morrow  with  great  pomp,  at 
which  the  Archbishop  and  many  holy  folks  are  to  be 
present  to  give  their  benediction  ; after  which  he  will 
have  a free  licence  to  make  noise  enough  to  stun  us. 
In  short,  a new  saint  bell  is  to  be  hung  up,  500  pound 
bigger  than  his  predecessor.  The  Christening  is  to  be 
performed  with  great  ceremony,  for  which  preparations 
are  making  in  my  neighbour’s  garden,  and  many 
engines  to  raise  him.’ 

May.  . . . — 11  Furibondo  has  again  broke  out 'and 
has  put  all  his  underlings  in  the  greatest  agitation  be- 
cause nothing  is  the  matter.  He  is  not  more  instructed 
from  home  than  I am,  or  less  embroiled.  Such  un- 
heard of  things  are  daily  done  by  the  fleet  that  do 
great  discredit  to  England,  and  would  make  you  wild 
as  a spectator  only.  ...  It  is  equally  feared  by  friends 
and  foes.  ...  A certain  Hero  in  his  cups  owned  that  now 
was  the  time,  and  that  everything  that  could  come 
within  his  long  reach,  he  looked  upon  as  Spanish.’ 

‘ I have  King  Theodore  still  to  deal  with  and  to 
comfort  in  his  disappointment.  He  writes  me  volumes 
every  hour  in  the  day  and  most  unluckily  in  such  a 
character,  that  there  is  no  such  thing  as  decyphering 
his  letters  or  even  knowing  what  to  say  to  him.  Lord 
Carteret  and  the  Duke  of  Newcastle  have  never 
answered  me  about  him.’ 


1743. 


THE  DUCHESS  OF  MODENA. 


161 


May.  . . . — ‘ The  two  minerals  I mentioned  are 
Cobolt  and  Zingho.  Ginori  tells  me  they  are  common 
in  England.  Gal  made  me  laugh.  I mentioned  them 
to  him  and  he  takes  them  for  mineral  waters  ! The 
minerals  are  to  make  colours  for  the  painting  Ginori’s 
china. 

£ . . . I have  poor  mad  Mr.  St.  John  on  my  back, 
who  writes  me  volumes  and  communicates  to  me  his 
infinite  long  letters  in  Latin  to  his  Confessor : nothing 
can  be  so  rediculous.’ 

May  21  st — ‘The  Dutchess  of  Modena  passed 
through  Florence  last  thursday  in  the  most  shabby 
equipage  I ever  saw.  She  would  not  accept  of  any 
of  the  horses  or  coaches  that  were  offered  her,  nor 
pass  by  without  taking  the  benefit  of  a sight  of  the 
holy  picture  at  the  Anunciata  which  was  uncovered 
for  her,  as  for  all  Princes. 

‘ The  Regency,  my  brother  of  France  ’ (Count 
Lorenzi,  French  Ambassador)  £ and  myself  had  the 
honour  of  dining  with  her  at  the  Casa  Craon.  Mme. 
de  Craon  did  the  honours  and  extremely  well,  though 
nothing  but  a Princess  de  Sang  and  a Cousine  could 
have  drawn  her  from  the  darkness  she  had  been  buried 
in  for  a long  time  on  account  of  her  eyes,  which  can- 
not bear  light ; which,  on  account  of  what  she  suffered 
that  day,  has  ever  since  been  excluded  her  appartment ; 
nay,  the  one  candle  that  is  suffered  to  come  in  at  24 
hours,  is  covered  with  a Fanale  with  a green  shirt  on. 
She  has  quitted  her  mourning  because  of  her  eyes,  and 
took  to  a white  gown ; but  being  told  by  a mathe- 
matician that  according  to  Sir  Isaack  Newton  white 
is  the  most  offensive  to  the  sight,  she  has  taken  a gay 


VOL.  I. 


M 


162 


ENGLISH  IN  FLORENCE. 


1743. 


flowered  gown  with  a blue  ground,  and  told  me  when 
I wondered  to  see  her  so  fine,  “ Helas,  Monsieur,  c’est 
1’unique  Robe  que  j ’ay  pour  le  soulagement  de  mes 
yeux.”  I am  quite  a favourite  at  present,  which  I am 
become  by  means  of  an  attention  of  a Barril  of  small 
Beer  which  I have  procured  for  her  from  the  fleet.’ 

June  11th. — On  the  occasion  of  a display  of  fire- 
works in  honour  of  some  grand  state  ceremony,  Mann 
had  his  house  full  of  visitors.  c It  was  a cruel  day  for 
me,’  he  says,  ‘ I was  forced  to  entertain  Mrs.  Bosville 
who  has  spent  all  her  life  in  York,  and  is  extreme 
insipid  ; her  husband  is  worse.  I know  nothing  of 
him  but  that  he  has  the  meanest  look  and  is  one  of 
the  greatest  fools  I ever  saw.  She  is  daughter  to  Sir 
William  Wentworth,  and  neice  to  the  Jamaica  General. 
Most  of  our  fashionable  travellers  bring  us  to  shame ; 
no  language,  no  address,  ’tis  horrible,  and  I am  on 
such  a foot  with  Madame  Suares  that  I can’t  consign 
them  over  to  Her.’ 

June  25th. — ‘ I have  not  recovered  the  fatigue 
of  yesterday’  (the  festival  of  St.  John,  patron  of 
Florence).  4 Out  of  civility  to  my  English  lady,  I 
went  early  to  see  the  function  upon  the  Place,  which 
every  year  grows  worse.  Even  the  Senators,  whom 
most  despise,  begin  to  neglect  this  ceremony  of  St. 
John.  There  were  but  few  present.  All  the  English 
and  Suareses  dined  with  me  afterwards,  then  the 
Paglio,  and  from  thence  to  a very  good  conversation 
at  Vernacci’s  ; he  is  Cicisbeo  to  Madame  Niccolini, 
who  serves  the  Roman  Lady  Soderini ; nobody  serves 
Mrs.  Bosville  but  poor  Bistino.  There’s  a sort  of 
swaggering  Captain  from  the  Fleet  who  lives  in  the 


1743. 


PLAGUE. 


163 


same  apartment,  nay,  in  their  closet,  to  avoid  the 
expense  of  another  room.  . . . The  husband  is  the 
worst  of  strange  creatures.  He  saw  the  figure  drest 
up  to  represent  Siena,  in  the  homage  yesterday,  and 
because  it  was  old  red  velvet,  he  asked  in  the  greatest 
eagerness,  “ ’deed  sir,  pray  what’s  that  man  ? doesn’t 
he  represent  the  Pope?” — “ Good  sir,  how  came  you  to 
fancy  the  Pope  paid  homage  to  the  Great  Duke  ? ” — 
“ Why,  sir,  I have  heard  say  he  was  of  a Florentine 
family ; and  then,  you  see,  that  figure  drest  in  old  red 
velvet.”  ’ 

July  9th. — ‘Our  English  lady  brings  us  strangely 
to  shame.  She  has  fallen  in  love  with  a purser  of 
a ship,  whom  the  country  has  found  out  not  to  be  a 
Cavaliere.  They  translate  it  “ Un  provisionaro  d’una 
nave.”  “ Poor  Nikin,”  her  husband,  answered  a person 
who  asked  him  if  he  had  any  children  : “ Oh,  no, 

sir  ! If  I had  I shouldn’t  have  been  here.”  ’ 

In  the  summer  of  this  year,  Messina  was  stricken 
by  the  plague.  So  swiftly  fatal  was  the  blow,  that,  in 
a short  time,  thousands  of  victims  perished.  All  Italy 
took  fright  and  became  cruel.  Refugees  from  Sicily 
were  driven  from  the  ports  at  which  they  attempted 
to  land,  and  they  died  abandoned  on  the  open  seas. 
Sovereign  princes  shut  themselves  up  and  forbade 
access  not  merely  to  their  own  persons  but  to  their 
States.  The  King  of  Naples  defended  himself  from 
infection  by  prohibiting  all  intercourse  with  his 
Sicilian  subjects  on  one  side,  and  by  forbidding  any 
approach  to  intimacy  offered  by  the  Pope  on  the  other. 
The  Holy  Father,  in  his  turn,  drew  a cordon  round 
his  dominions,  and  denounced  all  attempt  on  the  part 


164 


AGAINST  THE  PLAGUE. 


1743. 


of  Naples  and  even  Tuscany  to  break  through  it. 
Each  sovereign  fraction  of  Italy  banished  all  the 
other  fractions.  Isolation  was  held  to  be  the  specific 
cure  for  the  scourge  ; but  great  was  the  horror  of  all 
Italians  when  it  was  known  that  the  English  war 
ships  went  from  port  to  port,  sent  men  ashore  when- 
ever anything  was  wanted  from  the  land,  visited 
Sicilian  as  well  as  other  barks,  and  disregarded  all 
regulations  laid  down  by  the  authorities.  The  English 
crews  do  not  seem  to  have  been  any  the  worse  for 
their  high-handed  proceedings,  but  when  cases  of 
plague  were  reported  to  have  occurred  in  various  parts 
of  Italy,  blame  was  laid  on  all  the  English  fleet ; and 
Florence,  dreading  a mortal  visitation  like  that  which 
had  swept  almost  the  entire  life  out  of  Messina,  and 
had  been  nearly  as  destructive  at  Palermo,  fell  into  a 
hysterical  panic,  and  into  this  method  of  providing 
safety. 

July  23 rd. — ‘The  government  has  cut  off  all  com- 
munication with  Naples  and  like  wise  with  Home  .... 
A cordon  is  planted  all  along  the  borders  of  Tuscany 
with  the  Pope’s  states,  and  barriers  are  fixed  up  to 
stop  folks  and  goods,  the  first  for  15,  the  latter  21  days 
. . . both  states  have  banish’d  each  other.  The  sick- 
ness had  certainly  got  into  Calabria,  but  they  say  it  is 
absolutely  extinct  by  burning  the  houses  where  the 
poor  people  had  taken  refuge.  Three  of  our  gates  are 
to  be  shut,  and  at  each  of  the  others,  a Cavaliere  is  to 
be  placed  constantly  to  examine  Bills  of  Health  and 
passports.  The  whole  Nobility  is  to  take  their  turn  ; 
this  was  determined  a week  ago,  but  not  yet  exe- 
cuted, because  here  is  no  wood  in  the  magazines  to 


1743. 


A MEDAL  WELL  EARNED. 


165 


build  the  Ccisotti.  I declare  to  you,  Prince  Craon 
told  me  so  yesterday.  The  Lorrainers  sold  everything 
they  could  lay  hold  on,  some  years  ago  ; old  boards, 
kitchen  ware,  linnen,  etc.,  and  all  the  vinegar  that  used 
to  be  rigorously  kept  for  fear  of  a plague, — now, 
there’s  none  in  the  country.’ 

July  2 7th. — ‘I  must  tell  you  an  instance  of  the 
weight  Lady  Walpole  has  over  one  who  outweighs  all 
the  rest  of  this  Goverment.  A Quack  Oculist  came 
here  with  a letter  of  recomendation  to  my  good  Lady. 
He  practiced  much  during  his  stay,  and  had  as  great 
attendance  as  Taylor  in  England,  but  performed  no 
one  cure  except  couching,  which  he  did  with  great 
dexterity,  but  instead  of  curing  the  disorders  in  the 
Eyes,  he  absolutely  blinded  above  fifty  people,  and 
yet  my  Lady  induced  some  folks  to  give  him  a medal, 
worth  100  zecchini,  in  the  name  of  the  Great  Duke, 
for  curing  so  many  of  his  poor  subjects.  The  medal 
was  made  on  purpose,  the  Great  Duke’s  head  on  one 
side ; on  the  other  his  whole  person  on  horseback, 
entering  through  his  arch.’ 

August  6 th. — ‘The  Admiral’  (Matthews)  ‘has  inter- 
cepted a French  courier  and  took  from  him  all  the 
Pretender’s  letters ; these  were  in  such  cypher  as 
puzzled  the  Admiral’s  comprehension ; so  he  sent 
them,  tale  quale,  to  Hanover. 

‘ Our  victory  at  Dettingen  was  made  as  little 
as  possible  of  by  Austro-Florentines.  Though  they 
cannot  deny  that  the  English  behaved  with  great 
bravery,  they  add  that  they  were  totally  without 
discipline,  and  must  have  been  all  ruined  had  it  not 
been  for  the  Austrians  . . . All  the  Gazettes  represent 


166 


A TENDER  BRIDE. 


1748. 


the  English  army  telling  the  officers  that,  if  they  were 
cowards  and  afraid  to  lead  them  on,  they  would 
command  themselves,  and  fight  without  them.  Is  not 
this  most  piteous  ? ’ 

December  10th. — ‘Madame  Griffoni  has  a mind 
to  renew  a correspondence  with  you.  . . . She  designs 
to  send  you  some  Tuscan  wine,  hams  and  Marzolini 
cheeses  ; all  eatables  and  drinkables  which  you  would 
not  have  thought  worthy  the  care  of  your  housekeeper 
or  Butler ; here,  such  a present  is  esteemed  among 
themselves,  because  the  materials  can  be  sent  to 
market  the  next  morning,  to  be  turned  into  Scudis 
and  Testons.’ 

December  17th. — ‘The  love  affair  with  my  neigh- 
bour and  the  Marchese  goes  on  wonderfully  well,  and 
with  a profusion  of  presents.  She  was  here  t’other 
evening  with  a finimento  of  Smeraldi  and  Diamonds 
to  the  value  of  1500  crowns,  of  which  and  the  Donor 
she  is  so  fond  that  it  is  the  diversion  of  the  whole 
town.  Some  days  ago,  she  was  making  excuses  to  me 
for  not  coming  as  often  as  she  thought  I expected  her. 
She  said  she  dreaded  conducting  him  through  the  two 
courts  after  having  been  long  in  so  warm  a room  “for, 
caro,  you  see  how  very  very  old  he  is,  and  there  is 
much  to  fear  ; and  besides  since  I have  taken  this 
trouble  upon  me,  I wish  to  come  out  of  it  with 
honour.”  This  speech  was  pronounced  in  the  pre- 
sence of  all  her  servants ! Is  it  not  comfortable  in 
one’s  old  age,  to  have  so  careful  a nurse  ? ’ 

December  31  st. — ‘ Great  dissentions  in  Casa  Craon, 
and  poor  Madame  Sarasin  is  the  victim.  She  has 
been  turned  out,  and  is  preparing  to  go  to  Lorraine, 


1748. 


MADAME  SABAS  IN. 


167 


to  live  with  her  daughter  ; poor  creature  ! she  has  not 
above  £ 50  a year,  and  will  he  obliged  to  comb  her 
wigs  herself ; and  can  have  nothing  for  Quadrille. 
The  only  reason  given  for  her  disgrace  is  that  the 
Princess  was  trop  fatigues  de  ses  complimens ! ’ The 
poor  old  lady  had  previously  been  prohibited  from 
playing  at  cards  with  the  Princess’s  guests.  Walpole 
alluded  to  her  in  a letter  to  Mann,  comparing  with 
her  an  awkwardly  bewigged  old  English  lady  : — ‘ so 
like  old  Sarasin  at  two  in  the  morning  when  she  Las 
been  losing  at  Pharaoh  and  clawed  her  wig  aside,  and 
her  old  trunk  is  shaded  with  the  venerable  white  ivy 
of  her  own  locks,’ 


1G8 


THE  PRETENDER  AND  HIS  SON , 1744. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

1744. 

Mann  began  the  year  in  a serious  spirit,  but  it  was 
suddenly  disturbed  by  a clap  of  thunder,  which  is 
thus  recorded  : — 

January  21  st. — £ I have  been  interrupted  by  a 
violent  alarm.  The  Queen  of  Hungary’s  man  at 
Rome  has  sent  a person  on  purpose  in  the  greatest 
hurry  to  tell  me  that  the  Pretender’s  eldest  son  was 
departed  in  order  to  go  with  the  French  fleet  “to  make 
a visit  to  Miss  North  and  Grey  ” (Scotland).  All  the 
circumstances  of  this  jaunt  and  his  companion,  the 
dress  and  hour  was  mentioned  ; but  I was  determined 
before  I made  any  use  of  this  notice  to  wait  a few 
hours  for  the  receit  of  my  own  accounts  ; they  are 
come,  but  don’t  agree  at  all  with  the  message,  there- 
fore I will  run  no  risk  of  a false  alarm  to  the  King, 
which  might  be  of  much  worse  consequence  than  the 
delay  of  a few  days  can  be.  I have  taken  such  mea- 
sures that  I cannot  fail  of  knowing  the  truth  soon.’ 
January  22nd. — The  Pretender’s  eldest  son  is 
departed  from  Rome,  the  notice  of  which  has  been 
sent  to  me  by  two  Expresses  from  thence  ; he  is  said 
to  travel  in  the  habit  and  with  the  arms  of  a Nea- 


1744. 


FRINGE  CHARLES  E DWARF. 


169 


politan  courier.  I can’t  doubt  of  the  truth  of  this 
information,  therefore  have  not  hesitated  to  despatch 
it  to  England  where,  I suppose,  it  will  make  a great 
noise.  It  is  said  he  is  to  go  on  board  the  Brest  fleet, 
and  so  make  a descent  in  Scotland.  As  to  their 
views,  I think  it  must  be  uncertain.’ 

January  28th. — ‘ You  would  be  surprised  to  see 
the  infinite  details  of  the  stratagems  that  were  prac- 
tised to  conceal  his  departure,  in  which  Cardinal 
Acquaviva  and  Tencin,  the  nephew,  had  the  chief 
management ; they  all  set  out  for  Cisterna  as  usual 
to  hunt ; when  he  was  out  of  the  gates  of  the  town, 
which  were  opened  for  him  at  10  hours,  he  with  great 
instance  desired  the  Gentleman  who  was  to  take  care 
of  him  to  let  him  ride  because  he  wanted  to  be  at 
Cisterna  sooner ; this  was  refused  him  for  some  time 
with  an  appearance  of  obstinacy ; so  soon  as  he  was 
on  horseback,  he  rode  off  and  turned  out  of  the  road, 
where  he  changed  his  Cloaths  for  those  of  a Spanish 
courier,  with  a great  cap  that  covered  almost  his 
whole  face.  In  this  way  he  went  to  Acquaviva’s 
country  house,  where  two  post-horses  were  ready 
as  for  a Spanish  officer  and  courier.  His  brother  who 
set  out  later,  went  on  to  Cisterna,  and  received  a 
message  that  the  “ Elder  had  fallen  from  his  horse  and 
had  been  obliged  to  stop  at  Albano,  having  hurt  his 
leg,  of  which  none  of  the  company  was  to  take  any 
notice,  or  write  it  to  Rome,  for  fear  of  alarming  the 
father.”  On  the  contrary,  the  Duke  Gaetano,  whose 
house  they  were  at,  was  desired  to  write  frequently, 
that  they  were  well  and  had  great  diversion  of  hunt- 
ing ; the  messenger  was  charged  to  ask  for  two  shirts 


170 


HIS  PROGRESS. 


1744. 


to  carry  to  Albano,  assuring  the  Company  the  hurt 
was  so  small  that  he  would  be  able  to  be  with  them 
in  a day  or  two ; in  this  manner  everybody  was 
amused.  Cardinal  Acquaviva  had  previously  obtained 
two  passports  to  pass  the  cross-roads  of  Tuscany  in 
the  name  of  a Spanish  officer ; and  it  is  pretended  he 
had  a passport  with  Lord  Carteret’s  hand  falsified, 
to  be  made  use  of  in  his  passage  by  sea,  in  case  of 
need.  . . . Some  say  that  he  is  to  go  to  Brest  and 
on  board  the  squadron,  thence  to  make  a descent  in 
Scotland ; others,  that  he  is  to  go  directly  to  Paris 
and  to  serve  in  the  next  campaign  ; some  think  he 
is  to  marry  a Daughter  of  France,  others,  that  the 
Princess  of  Modena,  now  in  Paris,  is  to  be  his  wife. 
I should  rather  believe  the  Duke  of  Modena  would 
accept  him  for  his  son  in  law,  than  that  the  French 
King  would. 

£ His  appearance  in  the  world  will  undoubtedly 
occasion  a great  alarm  in  England,  though  it  must 
end  in  nothing,  for  it  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  there 
is  any  considerable  of  people  (sic)  either  in  England 
or  in  Scotland,  so  mad  as  to  espouse  so  foolish  a cause. 
This  inconvenience  there  will  always  be,  that  it  will 
revive  a party  that  was  almost  forgot.  Cardinal 
Tencin  has  certainly  been  the  chief  promoter  of  this 
project,  to  show  his  zeal  to  his  benefactor,  and  perhaps 
he  persuaded  his  master  that  this  step  will  draw  off 
the  King’s  attention  from  the  affairs  he  is  engaged  in.’ 

. . . ‘ The  Young  Pretender  arrived  the  22nd,  at 
Antibes,  after  remaining  six  days  at  Savona,  on  ac- 
count of  the  bad  weather.  They  say  he  was  violently 
alarmed  at  Antibes,  where  he  was  not  immediately 


1744. 


JACOBITE  EXCITEMENT. 


171 


admitted.  At  the  same  time  an  English  sloop  put 
in  there  for  provisions,  with  which  he  was  afraid  of 
being  carried  off.  His  last  letter  to  his  father  was  of 
the  22nd.’ 

March  17  th. — ‘ I was  in  pain  for  the  appearance  of 
the  Brest  Squadron,  on  the  Jacobites  bragging  so  much 
of  what  was  to  happen ; all  the  Italian  newspapers  say 
that  the  French  had  been  invited  by  the  Catholicks  of 
Scotland  and  Ireland.  By  all  accounts  this  seems  to 
be  a scheme  of  Tencin,  exclusive  of  all  the  other  min- 
isters. M.  Amelot  wrote  to  Count  Lorenzi  that  nous 
netions  pas  prevenus  of  the  arrival  of  that  Boy,  and 
that  he  believed  his  view  could  only  be  to  make 
campaign  with  Don  Philip.  They  say  M.  DArgenson, 
as  soon  as  he  heard  of  his  arrival,  made  strong  remon- 
strances to  his  master  of  the  consquences  of  it.’ 

March  31.st. — ‘ The  Jacobites  tell  us  continually 
that  this  young  man  is  by  this  time  in  England,  of 
which  they  expect  notice  hourly  by  a courier,  and  that 
a general  insurrection  has  appeared  in  his  favour  be- 
cause his  proposals  are  so  good  ; he  is  to  publish  a 
manifest  to  promise  liberty  of  conscience  and  all  kinds 
of  advantages  if  they  will  but  have  him.  Soon  after 
the  Boy’s  departure  from  Borne,  a pompous  account  of 
it  was  printed,  composed  by  Cardinal  del  Monti  and 
distributed  by  Murray  to  all  the  purple.  The  author, 
to  show  his  erudition,  draws  a paralel  between  the 
Boy  and  Demetrius  and  addresses  it  by  way  of  letter 
to  Murray,  who  answers  it  and  gives  an  account  of  the 
heroic  resolution  of  this  young  Demetrio  to  undertake 
such  a journey  in  spite  of  all  the  dangers  he  knew  he 
must  expose  himself  to  ; being  very  much  afraid  that 


/ 


172 


SUSPENSE. 


1744. 


the  notice  would  be  sent  by  a courier  to  Mann,  Min- 
istrio  Hanoveriano  in  Firenze,  and  by  him  forwarded 
too  soon  to  Admiral  Mathews.  Polybius’s  Demetrius 
escaped  from  Pome  and  took  possession  of  his  king- 
dom ; that  part  of  the  pamphlet  is  to  be  made  out  in 
proper  time.  Other  authors  have  exercised  their  parts 
in  print.’ 

April  7 th. — ‘ It  is  asserted  that  a private  Embassy 
from  the  Jacobites  in  England  has  for  some  time  re- 
sided in  Paris  and  encouraged  that  vile  court  to  under- 
take the  invasion.  . . . All  the  foreign  newspapers 
make  their  Ministers  say  that  their  King  entered  into 
it  at  the  request  of  a very  considerable  number  of  both 
English  and  Scotch.  ...  A courier  from  France 
carried  the  news  to  the  (old)  Pretender  of  the  disper- 
sion of  the  transports  and  that  the  whole  project  was 
ruined.  Bailli  Tencin,  nephew  of  the  Cardinal,  an- 
nounced it  to  the  Pretender  and  his  other  son  ; the 
latter  fainted  away  on  the  recital  of  it,  and  the  former 
was  struck  with  a most  profound  melancholly  in  which 
he  has  remained  ever  since.  I hope  to  increase  it  by 
the  notices  I shall  convey  to  Rome  this  evening.’ 

‘ I must  tell  you  that  the  Prince  and  Princess 
Craon,  who  are  naturally  French  in  their  hearts,  had 
pretended  to  me  to  be  anxious  about  the  present  cir- 
cumstances and  desired  to  be  informed  of  the  news  I 
should  receive.  I wrote  him  a letter  last  night,  witli 
the  contents  of  a letter  I had  received  from  Mr. 
Trevor,  and  afterwards  added  many  circumstances  out 
of  those  from  England,  and  contrived  it  so  that  he 
should  receive  it  at  his  Conversation.  I concluded  by 
saying,  “Jene  puis  douter,  mon  Prince,  que  vous  n’ayez 


1744. 


PAPAL  SYMPATHY. 


178 


une  vraie  joie,  en  apprenant  toutes  ces  nouvelles; 
j’en  ai  a 1’exces  en  yous  les  communiquant ; — to 
which,  contrary  to  his  usual  politeness,  he  made  me 
no  answer  in  writing  ; but  contented  himself  by 
calling  my  servant  and  bidding  him  thank  me.  I am 
not  surprised  ; all  his  family  are  in  the  French  ser- 
vice, and  he  so  weak  as  to  think  his  religion  obliges 
him  to  wish  the  Pretender’s  family  in  England.  . . . 

‘ I have  used  all  my  endeavours  to  get  authentick 
copies  or  accounts  of  the  Indulto  or  Briefs  that  the 
Pope  is  supposed  to  have  furnished  the  Pretender’s 
Boy  with,  but  cannot  yet  succeed.  It  is  not  doubted 
that  he  furnished  him  likewise  with  money,  but  both 
with  so  much  secresy  that  I can  say  nothing  with 
certainty.  I cannot  help  thinking  that  some  resent- 
ment should  be  shown.  It  is  absurd  to  say  that 
Religion  obliges  them  to  molest  the  nation’s  quiet.  If 
they  must  be  our  Enemies  why  should  they  expect 
good  treatment  from  a power  so  superior  and  capable 
of  chastising  them.  I would  not  desire  their  friend- 
ship ; that’s  not  worth  having,  but  would  insist  on 
their  forbearance  from  insults,  or  otherwise  treat  them 
on  the  foot  of  enemies  as  they  declare  themselves  to 
us.  Is  it  not  intolerable  that  any  sect  of  people 
should  publickly  profess  a belief  that  engages  them  to 
occasion  the  greatest  troubles  to  a great  kingdom,  and 
be  treated  with  civility,  nay  the  greatest  humanity  ? 
We  despise  the  Court  of  Rome,  in  England,  very  justly 
in  one  respect,  but  too  much  in  another.  We  should 
consider  what  weight  it’s  opinions  have  all  over  Italy 
and  in  most  parts  of  Europe.  The  very  subjects  of 
Princes  in  alliance  with  us,  of  which  such  numbers 


/ 


174 


CHARLES  EDWARD  IN  FRANCE. 


1744. 


reside  at  Rome,  are  by  the  maxims  of  that  Court, 
taught  publiekly  to  confess  what  they  ought  not  to 
own  in  their  own  countries,  and  must  do  it  to  advance 
their  fortunes  at  Rome,  till  it  becomes  habitual  to 
them,  and  so  the  poison  spreads  everywhere.  The 
very  Ambassadors  of  those  Princes  in  alliance  with 
the  King,  when  they  reside  at  Rome,  are  found  to 
adore  another  in  that  quality.  In  short,  I think  we 
might,  with  justice,  insist  upon  a contrary  behaviour, 
and  if  their  principles  oblige  them  to  be  our  enemies, 
as  they  are  the  Turks’,  that  they  should  expect  such 
treatment  as  the  latter  shows  them! 

April  28th. — ‘The  Pretender’s  son’s  people  left 
Rome  lately  to  join  him  in  France,  with  his  Cloathes 
and  Equipage  ; there  were  two  Gentlemen,  Skelton 
and  Stafford  ; three  others  they  call  Ajutanti,  two 
french  footmen,  a Cook  and  two  under  cooks  who 
had  with  them,  besides  the  above  things,  a large  chest 
of  plate ; by  all  this  it  seems  that  he  is  to  stay  long  in 
France  ; some  say  he  is  to  make  the  Campaign  is 
Flanders ; others,  on  the  Rhine.  A third  party  who 
think  themselves  the  wisest,  are  of  opinion  that  he 
will  serve  in  the  army,  to  make  an  attempt  on  his 
Majesty’s  Hanoverian  dominions  ; if  this  be  feazible,  I 
should  be  inclined  to  be  of  that  opinion.  The  Abbe 
Goddard  has  been  forbidden  the  Pretender’s  house  for 
exclaiming  against  the  French  for  not  having  pursued 
this  scheme  first  as,  it  is  pretended,  they  promised. 
It  is  certain,  the  Abbe  has  orders  not  to  approach  the 
house,  nor  have  Corsini,  Acquaviva  and  others  been 
able  to  obtain  his  pardon,  being  taxed  with  discussing 
their  secrets,  and  as  unfit  to  be  trusted  with  them.’ 


1744 


THE  COFFEE-POT. 


175 


Between  watching  the  Jacobites  in  Italy,  and,  in 
accordance  with  orders  from  home  leaving  him  dis- 
cretionary powers,  regulating  at  times  the  movements 
of  the  English  Fleet,  which  was  co-operating  against 
the  enemies  of  Maria  Theresa,  our  minister  at  Florence 
became  one  of  the  busiest  of  men,  and  one  of  the  most 
important  in  Italian  estimation.  ‘ Hitherto,  my  dear 
Child,’  he  writes,  July  16th,  ‘ I am  not  a bit  the  fatter 
for  all  this,  but  much  poorer,  for  the  Expresses  cost 
money,  and  my  bills  are  unpaid  since  the  year  1739, 
when  then  may  I expect  those  of  ’44.  I begin  to 
despise  my  little  spy  Abbd  at  Rome.’ 

Pressed  for  funds,  and  desirous  of  making  an 
appearance  equal  to  that  of  other  ministers,  Mann 
took  a step  in  which  Walpole’s  famous  coffee-pot  once 
more  played  a part.  ‘ You  must  not  be  angry,’  he 
writes  on  the  17th  July,  ‘when  I tell  you  I have 
disposed  of  your  fine  coffee-pot,  for  what  it  cost, 
to  the  Admiral.  Some  of  his  captains  put  me  on 
the  head  of  it,  and  he  wrote  to  me  about  it.  Indeed, 
my  dear,  it  was  too  fine  a single  piece  for  me,  and 
I had  nothing  that  was  fit  to  be  seen  with  it.  The 
Chutes  and  everybody  advised  me  to  do  it,  with  a 
view  of  making  some  useful  plate,  to  begin  a service. 
No  Consul  but  has  one  at  present.  In  every  plate  and 
dish  I buy,  I will  write  “ Ex  dono  Horatii  Walpole,” 
for  without  that  beginning  I could  never  have  begun. 
When  I shall  be  able  to  end  I can’t  guess  ; tell  me 
sincerely,  if  you  approve  of  it,  but  don’t  be  angry  with 
me.  Mr.  Fane’s  plate  cost  about  600  or  700  pounds, 
including  knives,  forks,  spoons,  salvers,  salts,  ladles,  in 
short,  all  small  things  which  I have,  so  that  I have 


/ 


176 


ADMIRAL  ROWLEY. 


1744. 


plates  and  dishes  to  buy  ; non  e poco,  but  I may  go  on 
by  degrees,  and  creep  into  a service  before  I am  aware 
of  it ; by  the  help  of  the  pot,  f can  lay  out  <£200 
now  ; and  every  inch  of  lace  I might  put  on  coats, 
I will  turn  into  plates  and  sauce-boats.’ 

September  22nd. — In  a letter  of  this  date,  Mann 
thus  speaks  of  II  Furibondo’s  successor  in  command 
of  the  English  fleet,  Admiral  Rowley,  whom  he  had 
visited  at  Leghorn  : — ‘We  soon  contracted  an  intimacy 
which  I really  believe  is  grown  into  a friendship  ; he 
is  a man  of  extreme  good  na,tural  parts,  vastly  mild 
and  liumain,  and  inclined  to  do  obliging  things.  . . . 
I was  pleased  with  his  first  appearance,  though  I own 
it  struck  me  with  some  respect,  as  in  his  person  he 
is  extremely  like  my  Lord  Orford  when  I saw  him  last, 
though  I believe  the  former  is  now  much  fatter.’  Then 
follows  a curious  bit  of  domestic  history: — ‘After 
having  shown  me  a thousand  civilities,  and  given  me 
many  marks  of  his  confidence,  we  talked  of  your 
family  for  which  he  has  great  Esteem  ; he  asked  me  if 
I knew  one  Mr.  Gardiner,  a natural  relation  of  yours  ; 
he  was  surprised  I did  not,  and  ordered  Captain 
Bockley,  with  whom  he  is,  to  bring  him  to  me.  I soon 
learnt  his  history,  and  as  I respect  his  Father,  interested 
myself  for  him,  and  desired  him  to  tell  me  if  I could 
be  usefull  to  him  ; when  he  replied  that  he  had  heard 
the  regard  the  Admiral  had  for  me,  and  desired  I would 
use  my  interest  with  him  to  get  him  to  be  a Lieutenant, 
from  which  rank  they  rise,  of  course.  I soon  had 
authority  to  give  him  hopes,  if  my  Lord  Orford  or 
Lord  Walpole  would  ask  it  ; the  Admiral  bid  me  write 
word  that  they  should  not  be  refused.  I told  him  I 


1744. 


PATRONAGE. 


1 77 


was  sure  one  of  them  would  write,  but  could  wish  it 
might  be  a letter  of  thanks  rather  than  one  to  ask  it ; 
he  replied  that  no  opportunity  offered  as  yet,  and  that 
though  the  ship  he  was  in  was  to  go  home,  he  should 
stay  behind  and  not  be  out  of  the  way  of  preferment. 

. . . Pray  accpiaint  them  with  this,  and  that  nothing 
will  be  done  without  the  letter.  Mr.  Gardiner  is 
vastly  esteemed  in  the  fleet ; he  is  very  little  of  his 
age.  I hope  my  Lords’  (Walpole’s)  ‘heir  will  be  more 
like  a man  at  20.  . . . I shall  be  vastly  happy  if  I can 
be  instrumental  to  this  Branch  of  your  family’s  pre- 
ferment, since  I owe  mine  and  all  gratitude  to  the  true 
one.’ 

To  this  proposal  for  the  advancement  of  Lord 
Walpole’s  alleged  natural  son,  Horace  Walpole  replied 
by  doubting  or  denying  the  assumed  fact.  Mann  re- 
joined : — ‘You  surprise  me  with  the  account  of  young 
Gardiner.  I really  took  him  as  my  Lord’s  son ; — since 
the  fleet  believes  it,  let  that  opinion  be  the  cause  of 
making  his  fortune.  If  he  is  not  my  Lord’s  son,’  says 
the  representative  of  English  majesty,  ‘ I suppose  he 
might  have  been,  so  I won’t  discover  him,  for  it’s 
certain  Mr.  Powley  only  wishes  to  advance  him  on 
that  account,  having  a most  sincere  regard  for  your 
family  ; therefore  send  me  the  letter,  and  give  him  an 
opportunity  of  showing  his  attention.’  To  this  extra- 
ordinary request,  Walpole  says  in  a letter  written  in 
the  following  January : ‘ I can  say  nothing  more 
about  young  Gardiner,  but  that  I don’t  think  my 
father  at  all  inclined  now  to  have  any  letter  written 
for  him.’  It  is  a fact,  however,  that  Lord  Walpole, 
whilst  denying  the  relationship,  had  once  promised  to 

VOL.  I.  N 


/ 


178 


ARREARS  OF  PAY. 


1744. 


write  the  letter  asked  for  by  Mann,— but  after 
reflection,  wisely  refrained. 

October  13 th. — ‘I  have  made  another  effort  to 
obtain  my  great  arrears  from  the  time  I was  Charge 
des  affaires  to  the  date  of  my  Residentship.  . . . 
I write  to  His  Grace’  (the  Duke  of  Newcastle)  ‘by 
this  post.  . . . My  request  is  to  have  the  usual 
allowance  of  Charge  des  affaires  of  40  shillings  a 
clay  from  the  time  I entered  into  that  appoint- 
ment (by  His  Grace’s  order)  to  the  date  of  my 
being  sent  as  a Resident.  . . . Then  there  are  6 
quarters  extraordinaries,  that  is  to  say,  for  postage  of 
letters,  packets,  memorials,  and  stationery  ware,  for 
which  £100  a quarter  is  allowed;  the  first  demand  is 
for  one  year  and  a half,  wanting  5 days,  and  comes 
to  £1086.’  At  some  length,  Mann  asks  that  Lord 
Orford  may  be  induced  to  recommend  to  the  Duke  the 
acquitting  of  the  Minister’s  claim,  and  he  adds  ; ‘ If 
I don’t  succeed  now,  I must  ever  give  it  over ; but  I 
cannot  hope  my  father  will  act  so  by  me  for  the  debt 
I contracted  with  him  for  his  extraordinary  supply 
during  that  time,  for  which  I shall  see  a large  deduc- 
tion out  of  the  little  share  I shall  find  in  his  will.’ 

Admiral  Matthews  after  withdrawing  from  his 
command  returned  to  London.  Walpole,  on  the  19  th 
October,  writes  : £ I have  not  seen  Admiral  Matthews 
yet,  but  I take  him  to  be  very  mad.  He  walks  in  the 
Park  with  a cockade  of  three  colours.  The  Duke’  (of 
Cumberland)  ‘ desired  a gentleman  to  ask  him  the 
meaning,  and  all  the  answer  he  would  give  was  : “ The 
Treaty  of  Worms  ! The  Treaty  of  Worms  ; ” ’ On  this, 
Mann  remarks  (Dec.  8)  : ‘I  forgot  to  tell  you  that  we 


1744. 


AN  AD  VENTURER. 


179 


nil  wear  the  three  coloured  cockade  which  you  think  is 
a sign  of  being  mad.  Why,  it  is  the  “ Triple  Alliance” 
or  what  an  officer  in  the  fleet  called  “ the  Triple  of 
Lyons  cockade  ! ” The  court  of  Turin,  the  fleet, 
and  Lobkowitz’s  army  ’ (Sardinia,  England,  Austria) 
‘ all  wear  it.  They  made  me  take  it  when  I was  at 
Leghorn.  All  the  English,  all  my  servants,  even  my 
kitchen  boy  wore  it.’ 

December  22nd. — ‘We  have  had  a Monsieur  de 
Magnan  and  his  wife,  a St.  Germain’s  lady ; he  some- 
times calls  himself  Marquis;  and  always  a great  man; 
he  introduced  himself  to  me  by  the  great  protection  he 
received  from  the  Walpoles,  and  tells  me  a thousand 
instances.  ...  I own  to  you  I don’t  believe  half  he 
says,  or  that  he  is  so  great  a man  as  he  says.  He 
speaks  all  kinds  of  languages,  14  in  number,  and  says 
he  was  employed  by  Sir  Robert  and  the  late  Queen  to 
write;  if  he  did  it  no  better  than  in  the  specimen  he 
has  given  me,  I can’t  say  I think  the  sums  of  money 
he  brags  of  having  received  were  well  employed.  The 
specimen  I speak  of  is  “ Remarks  of  a Parisian  traveller 
on  the  principal  Courts  of  Europe,  with  a dissertation 
upon  that  of  England,  the  Nation  in  general,  and  the 
Prime  Minister.  1736.”  He  is  come  here  with  the 
title  of  “ Conseiller  de  Commerce,”  though  there  is  no 
Council;  his  appointments  are  fifty  crowns  a month, 
which  is  much  less  than  T500  a year.  . . . ’ He  will 
be  violently  intimate,  which  I would  give  into,  if  I 
thought  it  would  be  agreeable  to  your  family.  Pray 
give  me  some  information  about  him,  for  as  yet  all  he 
has  said  does  not  give  me  a great  idea  of  him,  nor  the 
employment  he  has ; it  appears  to  me  that  the  Great 


/ 


180 


M.  DE  MAGNAN. 


1744. 


Duke  being  tired  of  his  solicitations,  has  sent  him  with 
that  title  for  want  of  knowing  what  other  to  give 
him.  . . . Your  Unkle,  he  pretends,  is  his  Chief  Pro- 
tector.’ Walpole’s  information  was  that  the  Regent 
Duke  of  Orleans  had  ‘picked  him  up,’  Walpole  knew 
not  where,  ‘ to  teach  the  present  Duke  of  Orleans  the 
Russ  tongue,  when  they  had  a scheme  for  marrying 
him  into  Muscovy.  At  Paris  Lord  Waldegrave  met 
with  him  and  sent  him  over  hither,  when  they  pen- 
sioned him  and  he  was  to  be  a spy ; but  made  nothing 
out ; till  the  King  was  weary  of  giving  him  money  ; 
and  then  they  dispatched  him  to  Vienna  with  a recom- 
mendation to  Count  d’Uhlefeldt  who  I suppose  has 
tacked  him  on  the  Great  Duke,’  Magnan  was  a 
member  of  the  Greek  Church.  Walpole’s  uncle  knew 
no  ill  of  him,  but  Mann  was  advised  to  keep  him  at 
civil  distance,  and  not  to  enter  into  correspondence 
with  a person  who  was  ‘ of  no  use.’ 

£I  thank  you,’  replies  Mann  (March  9th), /for  the 
information  of  M.  de  Magnan,  who  has  been  chosen 
head  of  the  Greek  Church  at  Leghorn,  in  which  alone 
he  is  likely  to  figure  ; he  was  too  troublesome  to  me 
here,  would  never  make  use  of  any  coach  but  mine, 
and  since  his  departure,  persecuting  me  with  his  letters, 
desiring  me  constantly  to  communicate  to  him  all  I 
knew.  I declined  it  long  before  I got  your’s,  but  since 
have  refused  the  preference  he  gave  me  of  being 
Godfather  to  the  child  his  wife  expects  daily  to  be 
brought  to  bed  of  ; indeed  I did  not  chuse  it,  for 
according  to  the  custom  of  the  country,  I must  have 
made  her  a present,  which  I can’t  afford.’ 

Harassed  as  Mann  was  with  the  Pretender  and 


1744 


CARNIVAL. 


181 


saucy  Jacobites,  with  reports  from  spies  who  were  not 
always  to  be  trusted,  with  visits  from  rough  Captains 
in  the  English  Navy  ; and  with  ‘politicks/  generally, 
he  still  found  time  to  chronicle  the  light  sayings  and 
doings  of  the  society  in  which  he  lived.  Of  which 
here  are  some  samples  : — 

January  14 th. — ‘The  Tesi  has  been  terribly  mor- 
tified of  late  ; not  only  no  applause,  but  she  has  been 
affronted  in  the  theater ; all  the  Gens  d’armes  are 
against  her ; one  got  behind  the  scenes  in  mask  the 

other  night,  and  called  her  “bruta  B ,”  which  being 

told  to  San  Yitali,  he  applied  to  the  Directors  of  the 
Theater,  who  immediately  caused  him  to  be  put  into 
arrest ; he  discovered  himself  and  was  set  at  liberty  on 
his  parole,  but  was  again  ordered  into  arrest  by  his 
Colonel,  where  he  remains  still.  All  his  companions 
take  his  part  against  the  Tesi  and  San  Yitali ; several 
abusive  libels  have  been  fixed  up  at  his  door,  and  the 
officer  swears  he  will  fight  San  Vitali.’ 

January  21  st. — ‘ Nothing  was  ever  so  brilliant  as 
our  Carnival ; the  early  permission  for  masks  in  the 
theater  makes  such  a crowd,  that  there’s  no  stirring. 
We  have  been  in  great  danger  of  their  being  forbid  on 
account  of  the  late  broils  which  were  carried  to  such  a 
higth  that  in  the  last  week  a paper  was  found  in  the 
play-room,  left  there  by  a mask,  containing  these 
words: — “Non  vogliamo  questa  bruta  B — — , la  Tesi, 
altrimento  bruciaremo  il  Teatro,”  the  old  Fiscal,  on  the 
sight  of  this,  did  all  he  could  to  induce  the  Regency 
to  forbid  masks,  but  could  not  succeed.  I hope  the 
affair  is  over.  They  attribute  it  to  me.  Indeed,  I 
have  interested  myself  a good  deal  in  it.  Is  it  not 


182 


LA  TEST. 


1744. 


ridiculous  that  a foolish  little  officer  of  16  years  old 
should  interrupt  the  pleasures  of  a whole  town  ? ’ 

February  18th. — c This  is  the  last  day  of  our  Car- 
nival which  has  been  the  gayest  we  have  ever  had  : 
the  theater  has  from  the  beginning  been  so  crowded 
with  masks  that  it  has  been  quite  troublesome.  The 
embroils  about  the  Tesi  have  broke  out  again  ; several 
libels  have  been  fixed  up  in  the  Opera  House,  and  the 
most  abusive  ones  at  all  the  corners  of  the  streets  ; the 
author  threatened  to  burn  the  theater  and  sfregiare 
(dishonour  and  cut  across  the  face)  the  Tesi.  San  Vitali 
has  been  horribly  abused  in  them  all,  which  has  made 
him  resolve  to  quit  his  flame.  He  leaves  here  on 
Saturday,  for  good  ; though  they  say  he  is  as  much  in 
love  with  her  as  ever.  His  circumstances  (for  by  a 
composition  with  his  family,  he  is  reduced  to  a hun- 
dred zecchins  a week)  do  not  permit  him  to  give  her 
such  proofs  of  it  as  she  wishes  ; therefore  she  has  given 
many  tokens  that  she  is  tired  of  him,  which  add  to  his 
affliction.  The  Tesi  is  in  great  consternation-  for  this 
evening,  as  everything  threatened  against  her  was  to  be 
executed  the  last  night ; the  guards  are  double  and  all 
precautions  used  to  prevent  disorders.  She  has  really 
done  nothing  to  deserve  such  treatment,  though  the 
pique  is  so  great  that  I don’t  apprehend  she  can  live 
here.  Her  time  of  making  new  conquests  is  over,  so 
that  in  all  probability  she  will  be  very  unhappy.’ 

March  10th. — ‘ You  will  be  sorry  to  hear  the 
Sposa  Paniaticci  died  two  days  ago  in  child-bed. 
Half  the  town  is  in  tears  for  her,  among  whom  her 
grandfather,  the  old  Marquis  Riccardi,  affects  to  be 
one  ; he,  the  next  day,  appeared  in  publick  and  said 


1744. 


ITALIAN  MARRIAGES. 


183 


to  every  one  he  met : “ See,  how  I weep.  I too  shall 
die,  soon  ! ” His  grief  has  been  greatly  lessened  by 
the  pleasure  he  had  in  counting  the  candles  round  her 
Catafalco  and  in  the  procession,  both  which  were  mag- 
nificent. Your  Princess  is  near  her  time,  and  very 
frightened  because  of  the  Bissextile  and  the  Comet, 
both  which  are  bad  for  women  in  labour.’ 

April  28th. — ‘We  are  very  gay  here  at  present  on 
account  of  some  weddings,  particularly  that  of  young 
Marquis  Tempi  who,  much  against  his  will,  married  last 
night  a rich  Capponi.  There  was  a ball  at  Martelli’s, 
the  sposo’s  sister,  last  night ; and,  to  morrow  morning, 
there  will  be  another  at  Prince  Volandini’s.  Marquis 
Tempi  is  to  make  one  or  two.  The  great  bouncing 
Antinori  is  married  to  little  Boccineri.  Preparations 
are  making  for  a good  Opera  for  St.  John,  when  masks 
are  to  be  permitted  for  15  or  20  days;  this  is  a novelty 
and  has  been  granted  to  sweeten  some  extraordinary 
demands  for  money.  . . . ’ May  28tlr. — Amidst  great 
political  events,  Mann  says  that  little  was  thought  of 
but  the  magnificent  series  of  balls  given  in  honour  of 
the  above-named  marriage  : ‘ Young  Marquis  Tempi 
seems  the  only  one  displeased,  his  wife  and  fortune 
pleasing  the  father  much  better  than  him.  The  old 
Duke  of  Grog  (sic)  has  appeared  at  all  these  assemblies 
in  the  shape  of  a sposo  to  the  Carnisecchi  (sic)  a 
widow.  The  filthy  old  creature  makes  a nasty 
figure.  ’ 

The  Florentine  nobility  were  far  from  approving 
the  manner  in  which  some  of  our  English  marriages 
were  conducted.  In  April,  1744,  Walpole  described 
that  of  Lady  Sophia  Fermor  (who  was  well  known  in 


/ 


184 


ENGLISH  MARRIAGES. 


1744. 


Florence)  to  old  Lord  Carteret.  Tire  bride  (daughter 
of  Lord  Pomfret)  had  been  on  the  point  of  bringing 
to  a desired  end  a love  match  with  young  Lord 
Lincoln.  That  having  failed,  she  married  Lord  Car- 
teret and  became  a very  great  lady.  ‘ Last  night,’ 
writes  W alpole,  ‘ they  were  married  . . . they  supped 
at  Lord  Pomfret ’s ; at  twelve,  Lady  Granville,  his 
mother,  and  all  his  family,  went  to  bed,  but  the 
porter ; then  my  Lord  went  home  and  waited  for 
her  in  the  lodge:  she  came  alone  in  a hackney  chair, 
met  him  in  the  hall,  and  was  led  up  the  back  stairs 
to  bed.’  This  very  common-place  way  of  being 
married  shocked  the  Florentines,  when  Mann  de- 
scribed it.  ‘ Imagine,’  says  the  Minister  to  Walpole, 

‘ how  the  little  ceremony  with  which  Lady  Sophia 
left  her  maidenhood  must  sound  here  to  the  Tempis 
and  Capponis.  Bestino  Uguccioni  is  quite  scandalized 
at  the  hackney  chair,  and  no  Ball  or  Festin.  Old 
Riccardi  won’t  believe  it : “ Come  nulla  ! e una  grand 
Dama  poi  e uno  grand  Signore,  mi  pare  di  molto, 
basta ! sara  cosi  ! ” Everybody  is  glad  of  her  good 
fortunes.’  On  June  16th  Mann  reverts  to  the  same 
subject.  ‘Uguccioni  is  quite  mad  about  Lady  Carteret. 
He  is  persuaded  if  he  were  not  a Catholick  that  he 
should  have  a great  place ; but  still  he  hopes  to 
engage  Lady  Pomfret  to  speak  to  Lady  Carteret  to 
speak  to  my  Lord  to  speak  to  the  King  to  write 
to  the  Queen  to  speak  to  the  Great  Duke  to  write  to 
Richecourt  to  give  him  an  employment  here  which 
may  at  last  procure  him  the  honour  of  being  made 
Gentleman  of  his  Bedchamber  without  any  salary,  as 
was  offered  to  Ceechino.  In  consequence  of  the  re- 


1744. 


EPITEALAMIUM. 


185 


commendation.  Lord  Harrington  ordered  Mr.  Robinson 
to  . . ( illegible ) . . and  in  the  King’s  name  some 
years  ago,  which  honour  his  mother  was  wise  enough 
to  refuse,  finding  it  would  cost  her  100  pistoles  a 
year.’ 

In  a subsequent  letter,  Uguccioni  is  pourtrayed  as 
half  mad  and  rushing  into  poetry,  by  deputy.  ‘ The 
poor  creature  thinks  it  very  necessary  to  be  vastly 
fond  of  my  Lord  Carteret,  and  to  show  his  zeal  has 
employed  a little  abbey  (sic)  to  make  an  epithalamium 
addressed  to  them  both.  It  consists  of  840  Latin 
verses,  which  are  now  printing  with  their  arms,  and 
all  sorts  of  allusive  and  pretty  ornaments;  he  designed 
to  get  a Latin  dedication  and  sign  it  himself.  When 
he  asked  my  advice,  I asked  him  what  the  latter  was 
to  say  ? that  as  I apprehended  all  he  could  say  was 
that  he  had  bought  all  those  verses  cheap,  I thought 
he  had  better  not  do  it ; he  now  intends  to  supply  its 
plane  with  an  Italian  manuscript  letter ; two  printed 
copies  of  the  verses  were  to  be  sent  soon  by  the  post, 
which  are  to  be  followed  by  300  other  copies  by  sea. 
I think  it  is  most  probable  my  Lord  Carteret  will 
order  the  bale  to  be  brought  to  his  own  house  and  that 
it  may  be  consigned  to  the  Housekeeper.  In  the  mean 
time,  poor  Bestino  is  quite  mad.’ 

Among  the  presents  which  Walpole  sent  to  Mann 
was  a double  Windsor  chair,  whereon  two  persons 
could  sit  and  talk,  with  a bar,  or  rest,  between  them. 
Ladies  and  their  Cicisbeos  were  delighted  with  this 
seat  so  appropriate  for  their  whisperings  ; but  they 
disapproved  of  the  bar  as  an  obstruction  to  the 
furthering  of  love.  Mann  had  several  made  in  ac- 


/ 


186 


MANN’S  NIGHTS. 


1744. 


cordance  with  their  wishes,  and  when  he  placed  them 
in  his  garden  on  his  Thursday  nights  at  home,  ladies 
and  their  cavalieri  serventi  almost  adored  him.  On 
July  4 th  he  describes  one  of  those  nights  as  the  most 
remarkable  thing  in  Florence  : — f The  gayest  assembly 
you  ever  saw  and  most  innocent ; nothing  but  love 
going  forward.  They  are  coupled  in  double  chairs 
all  over  the  garden,  and  retire  to  the  corner  when 
any  Saint  lures,  without  molestation.  The  garden  is 
lighted  up  very  prettily  with  such  lamps  as  you  have 
in  Vaux  Hall,  which  are  suspended  on  green  poles 
surrounded  with  vine  branches.  The  number  of  the 
admirers  is  great.  . . . Last  fryday,  the  English  made 
a fine  Cocchiata  which  diverted  the  whole  town.  I 
had  so  much  the  management  of  it  as  to  make  the 
compliment  of  serenading  Madame  Antinori,  because 
her  sister  Griffoni’s  house  was  too  much  out  of  the 
way.  It  first  began  on  the  Piazza  di  Sto.  Spirito, 
then  moved  to  the  Bridge,  thence  to  Madame  Anti- 
nori’s,  where  the  Princess  honoured  it,  and  ended  at 
Santa  Croce.  I was  at  the  Princess’s,  when  a long- 
consultation  was  held,  which  night-dress  she  should 
appear  in.  Then  M.  Antinori  advised  her  to  prefer  a 
. . . (illegible)  which  she  refused  before  all  the  com- 
pany that  was  there,  and  still  he  pressed  it ; it  is 
literally  true.  She  greatly  reprimanded  him  and  bid 
him  call  it  a casaquin .’ 

July  21s£.- — ‘ My  garden  walks  with  the  help  of 
some  English  glass  lamps  look  very  pretty.  The 
English  say,  Vaux  Hall  in  miniature  but  much  better 
company.  The  fame  of  my  lamps  and  my  new  double 
chairs,  which  we  call  Cicisbeatoji  have  put  me  much 


1744. 


FRIENDS  AND  LOVERS. 


187 


in  vogue.  We  have  many  English,  the  chief  are  Lord 
Egiinton  and  Lord  Coote,  the  rest  you  wouldn’t  know 
by  their  names,  except  little  Brownlow,  (Lady  Betty’s 
son)  whom  you  knew  at  Aix,  when  she  married  a 
young  french  officer.’ 

No  invitations  were  sent  out  for  these  garden 
nights,  and  Mann,  often,  would  not  recognize  some 
of  his  own  guests.  In  London,  it  was  different  with 
the  ‘Assemblies’  held  by  the  leading  Ladies  of  Society. 
‘The  fashion  now  is,’  Walpole  tells  Mann,  ‘to  send 
cards  to  the  women,  and  to  declare  that  all  men  are 
welcome  without  being  asked.” 

October  27th.— ‘ Your  friend  the  Tesi  is  a little 
embroiled.  You  know  she  turned  off  Yitali,  when 
he  had  exhausted  his  treasures  upon  her.  He  had 
literally  nothing  left  but  a hundred  zecchins  a week. 

. . . Young  Marquis  Tempi  and  Corsi  tried  who  would 
be  most  in  love  with  her.  This  occasioned  so  much 
displeasure  to  the  Salviatis  and  their  great  relations, 
that  they  procured  an  order  from  Vienna  to  desire  her 
in  the  Great  Duke’s  name  not  to  come  back  to 
Florence  again.  She  set  out  to  V enise  some  days  ago, 
where  she  is  to  sing,  and  afterwards  intends  to  go  to 
Vienna,  to  get  the  sentence  mitigated,  which  poor 
Prince  Craon  was  obliged  to  give  her.’ 

November  10th. — ‘The  Vittorina  Suares  is  to  be 
declared  Sposa  in  a few  days.  Carducci  will  have 
patience  no  longer,  and  has  insisted  that  Billets  of 
demand  and  answers  may  reciprocally  pass  within  a few 
days ; as  for  consummation,  he  will  have  patience  till 
after  Easter,  but  no  longer.  The  poor  Teresina  has 
found  nothing  yet,  which  disturbs  the  family  greatly. 


/ 


188 


A POOR  MATCH. 


1744. 


Carducci  is  but  a poor  match.  He  is  forced  to  sell 
something  to  pay  his  debts  and  make  the  rest  clear, 
which  will  amount  to  2000  and  a few  hundred  crowns 
per  annum ; out  of  which,  to  show  his  generosity 
and  ajfetto,  he  is  to  give  his  Sposa,  for  cloathes  and 
pocket  money,  12  Scudi  a month  ! what  a temptation 
to  gain  more  ! Do  but  imagine  a young  gay  lady  of 
Quality  of  16  or  17,  with  barely  £3  a month  for  her 
cloathes  and  menus  plaisirs ; it  is  this  treatment  makes 
ail  the  wives  so  cheap.’ 

This  year  was  at  once  the  gayest  and  the  most 
anxious  year  which  Mann  had  passed  in  Florence  ; 
and  there  was  more  cause  for  anxiety  than  ground  for 
gaiety,  in  the  year  that  was  coming. 


1745. 


MUTUAL  PRESENTS. 


189 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

1745. 

The  Letters  written  by  Mann  in  the  early  part  of  this 
year  are  upon  light  subjects.  In  the  earliest  or 
serious  letters,  he  is  to  be  found  treating  of  the 
English  Fleet  which  was  near,  or  of  the  Pretender, 
whose  movements  puzzled  him.  The  national  subjects 
naturally  take  place  of  the  merely  social.  Mann 
writes,  under  date,  March  9th,  ‘I  told  you  the  Admiral 
and  I are  great  friends  ever  since  he  was  at  Leghorn ; 
he  made  me  a present  of  a pretty  mahogany  chair  and 
a table ; the  latter  was  ordinary,  but  all  English 
things  please.  He  has  now  sent  me  some  beer  for  the 
Princess.  I sought  for  an  opportunity  to  make  him  a 
present  in  return,  and  found  a very  good  one ; he  had 
lost  his  seal,  so  I undertook  from  an  impression,  to  get 
another  cut  at  Rome,  which  was  excessively  well  done 
on  a triangular  topaz,  his  arms,  crest,  and  on  the  other 
side  the  head  of  Marcus  Agrippa,  with  his  attributes 
as  an  Admiral ; it  was  vastly  well  set  and  was  sent 
down  to  him  last  week.’ 

£ ...  If  I corresponded  with  Lord  Sandwich  as 
formerly,  I would  advise  him  to  make  some  regulation 
about  the  education  of  the  young  people  a-board ; to 


190 


IGNORANT  CAPTAINS. 


1745. 


give  them  language  masters,  and  to  oblige  them  to 
learn  at  least  French  and  Italian.  It  is  terrible  to  see 
the  figure  they  make  for  want  of  them.  Every  one 
that  commands  a ship  has  constant  occasion  for  them, 
when  he  is  charged  with  the  least  commission.  They 
have  all  executed  them  in  English,  and  as  the  people 
that  receive  their  letters  don’t  understand  them,  they 
are  forced  to  apply  to  Irish  priests  and  such  like 
people  to  translate  them.  Six  Captains  dined  last 
summer  with  Cardinal  Albani  and  M.  de  Thun  with 
only  their  mother  tongue.’ 

‘ . . . There  has  been  a violent  fracas  at  Rome. 
Cardinal  Acquaviva  won’t  give  the  English,  passports 
to  go  to  Naples,  without  they  are  recommended  to 
him,  from  Murray’  (the  Pretender’s  Secretary).  ‘ Lord 
Mentrath  (sic)  has  been  possitively  refused,  but  he 
won’t  apply  that  way ; they  have  wrote  me  accounts 
of  it,  and  I have  encouraged  them  not  to  condescend 
to  an  open  Rebel.’ 

June  29th. — ‘This  whole  week  I have  been  most 
extraordinarily  employed  in  writing  supplicating 
letters  to  the  Duke  of  Newcastle  and  Stone  to  pay  me 
the  infinite  arrears  that  are  due  to  me.  I am  undone 
if  I do  not  succeed.’ 

July  2 7tli. — ‘ The  Genoese  are  extremely  afraid  of 
a visit  from  the  fleet.  They  keep  constantly  all  their 
Gallies  around  and  at  the  mouth  of  their  Port  to 
prevent  a surprize.  Their  gunners  never  dare  stir 
from  their  posts.  There  are  twelve  ships  before  the 
Port  and  two  Bombs,  but  they  will  do  nothing  till 
Mr.  Rowley  sends  his  orders.  All  Italy  expects  to  see 
them  bombarded.  I would  fain  have  a Doge  and 


1745. 


SAVONA  BOMBARDED. 


191 


Senate  travel  to  St.  James’s  as  they  did  once  to 
Versailles,  but  our  Monarchs  are  not  in  that  gout.  I 
receive  letters  from  Captain  Cooper  to  acquaint  me 
that  he  shall  immediately  proceed  to  hostilities  against 
the  Genoese.  . . . These  letters  of  Mr.  Cooper  have 
really  put  me  into  a panick  for  those  poor  Genoese, 
who  have  to  share  in  their  Governor’s  follies ; these 
wretches’  houses  will  be  demolished  and  many  of  them 
perish.  I am  quite  agite,  nor  can  talk  to  you  of  my 
Conversations  nor  any  thing  else.’ 

August  10 th. — ‘Captain  Cooper  who  commands 
the  Squadron  on  the  coast  of  Genoa,  tells  me,  in  a 
letter,  that  being  persuaded  if  Mr.  Rowley  had  been  in 
these  seas  he  would  have  commenced  hostilities  against 
the  Genoese ; therefore,  believing  such  a step  would  be 
agreeable  to  our  Ministry,  he  had  undertaken  it ; the 
authority  he  went  on  seems  very  mince,  and  I should 
have  rather  waited  for  better  orders.  He  bombarded 
Savona  a little, — -just  enough  to  convince  the  world 
that  he  could  do  nothing.  Of  above  a hundred  shells 
he  threw,  but  three  reached  the  town.  He  then  was 
forced  to  desist,  and  came  to  Leghorn  to  refit  the 
Bomb  vessels  which  were  much  shattered  by  their 
own  fire.  Captain  Cooper  says  the  fault  was  in  their 
materials,  but  I am  persuaded  it  was  not  only  in 
them  but  that  they  themselves  are  troppo  materiali 
and  know  not  what  they  are  about  (excuse  that  vile 
conundrum)  The  Governor  of  Savona  sunk  a bark 
laden  with  powder,  for  fear  of  accidents,  which  was  all 
the  harm  they  suffered.’ 

Of  other  doings  of  the  English  fleet,  Mann  states: — 
‘ Advice  was  brought  to  Mahon  that  Captain  Edge- 


/ 


192 


MOVEMENTS  OF  GII ARLES  ED  WARD.  1745. 


cumbe  bad  taken  a register  skip  with  600,000  pieces 
of  Eight,  and  had  carried  her  into  Gibraltar  ; that  the 
Jersey  had  fought  a French  ship  of  74  guns,  the  St. 
Esprit,  for  four  hours  in  the  Straights  ; the  Jersey  lost 
five  men,  and  was  much  damaged  in  her  cordage  ; the 
night  separated  them ; a report  afterwards  prevailed 
that  the  St.  Esprit  sunk  in  the  Bay  of  Tangier.  . . . 
Our  Squadron  here  is  not  so  lucky.  Every  one  of  the 
transports  from  Naples  with  artillery  has  escaped, 
though  I gave  the  Captains  previous  notice  of  their 
departure.  They  have  indeed  taken  many  barks  on  a 
suspicion  of  the  effects  belonging  to  the  enemy,  but 
have  been  forced  to  deliver  them  all  up  on  proofs  to 
the  contrary,  though  not  without  great  vexation 
to  the  owners.  Yesterday,  indeed,  I received  advice 
that  a ship  had  brought  in  six  large  vessels  which 
sailed  lately  from  Leghorn  with  corn  and  provisions 
for  Genoa,  of  which  I gave  them  notice  about  ten  days 
ago  ; this  was  bravely  done  ; the  same  ships  brought 
in  with  them  three  Genoese  barks  from  the  same 
place.  The  Sardinian  Gallies  are  now  at  Leghorn  and 
will  cruize  with  our  ships,  which  will  be  of  great  use. 

‘ I must  add  another  half  sheet  to  tell  you  of  the 
violent  alarms  we  are  in,  on  account  of  a Courier  that 
arrived  at  Borne  last  Thursday.  After  the  strictest 
business  of  spies,  it  has  been  discovered  that  the 
Courier  was  despatched  by  the  late  Duke  of  Ormond, 
from  Avignon,  to  the  Pretender,  with  a letter  enclosed 
from  his  son  to  acquaint  him  that  he  was  to  leave 
France,  without  mentioning,  it  is  said,  for  what  place, 
and  to  desire  his  father  not  to  be  uneasy  if  he  should 
not  receive  his  letters  for  some  posts  ; to  desire  his 


1745. 


JACOBITE  PLANS. 


194 


blessing  ancl  that  of  the  Pope  immediately  on  the 
receipt  of  this  Courier.  There  were  violent  confer- 
ences at  the  Pretender’s,  between  him,  Acquaviva, 
Cardinal  Riviera,  and  the  French  ambassador ; and 
a thousand  reports  have  been  spread:  but  what  alarms 
me  most  is  an  Express  that  Mr.  Whithed  heard 
from  the  mouth  of  a certain  Don  Giuseppe,  a Spaniard 
at  Rome, — to  Cardinal  Riviera  at  Count  Petroni’s 
Assembly : “We  shall  make  an  invasion  into  Scot- 
land as  soon  as  England  is  deprived  of  troops.’”  (The 
latter  were  going  to  Flanders).  ‘ This  Mr.  Whithed 
heard  himself.  The  joy  of  the  Palazzo  dei  S.S. 
Apostoli  is  insolent  already  to  a degree. 

£ I own  I am  greatly  alarmed,  though  I don’t  see 
that  he  can  venture  to  go  into  Scotland  without  troops 
and  a considerable  fleet.  Surely,  his  friends  there 
cannot  be  so  numerous  as  to  do  anything  alone. 
They  say  we  have  a large  fleet  in  the  Downs  or  on 
the  Coasts,  but  the  name  of  an  Invasion  frightens  me. 
I send  accounts  of  all  this  and  an  original  second 
letter  by  an  Estafette  from  the  Cardinal  to  Hanover 
and  to  England,  but  I thought  it  useless  to  send  a 
Courier. 

‘ I have  received  a very  gracious  letter  from  my 
Lord  Harrington,  by  order  of  the  King,  to  acquaint 
me  that  my  conduct  has  been  approved  in  my  little 
negotiations  with  Silvi,  and  that  my  answers  to  his 
letters  have  been  to  his  Majesty’s  approbation.  You 
love  me  too  well,  not  to  take  part  in  the  satisfaction 
this  gives  me.’ 

‘ Letters  from  England,’ writes  Mann,  August  17th, 
‘ alarm  me  extremely,  though  I still  expect  worse,  and 

YOL.  I.  o 


/ 


194 


PROGRESS  OF  CHARLES  EDWARD.  1745. 


clread  to  hear  the  confusion  which  the  notice  of  the 
Pretender’s  son’s  arrival  in  Scotland  will  add.  . . . 
I can  only  be  informed  of  what  accounts  arrive  at 
Rome,  and  of  those  very  imperfectly.  Since  the 
arrival  of  the  last  French  courier  there,  the  whole 
town  tells  of  the  boy’s  arrival  in  Scotland.  Prince 
Craon  has  received  advice  from  Paris  of  it,  and 
Richecourt  has  sent  me  an  extract  of  one  he  likewise 
received,  the  substance  of  which  is  that  the  12th  of 
last  month  the  boy  embarked  on  board  a small  ship  of 
12  canons,  at  St.  Lazare  in  Normandy,  which  con- 
ducted him  to  Bell  Isle,  from  whence  he  was  escorted 
by  a large  French  ship  of  60  guns.  It  is  said  he  had 
jo  (10,000)  muskets  and  a company  of  150  Volun- 
teers, which  was  formed  the  last  winter  at  Paris. 
Prince  Craon’s  accounts  from  Paris,  as  well  as  those 
Count  Lorenzi  has  from  Maillebois,  add  that  the 
french  ship  of  60  guns  was  met  by  one  of  ours,  and 
that  they  fought  for  a long  time,  during  which,  the 
smaller  with  the  Pretender’s  son  escaped  and  landed, 
and  that  he  despatched  Lord  Temple  (who  this  can  be 
I can’t  conceive)  with  notice  of  it  to  the  Pretender, 
and  that  he  was  to  march  to  Edingborugh.  All  this 
seems  to  be  making  too  much  haste,  nor  can  I com- 
prehend that  he  would  venture  to  march  to  Eding- 
borugh, with  his  150  Volunteers;  or  that  if  it  is  really 
so,  that  it  should  not  be  known  in  England  before  the 
departure  of  the  last  letter.  However,  as  there  seems 
to  be  no  doubt  of  the  scheme  in  general,  you  may 
easily  judge  of  the  consternation  I am  in ; nothing 
else  is  talked  of  here,  and  with  an  assurance  that 
astonishes  me.’ 


1745. 


SEA  FIGHT.  i05 


4 ...  I can  neither  think  or  write  about  any- 
thing but  the  invasion,  for  I hear  of  nothing  else. 
There  is,  however,  so  much  inconsistence  in  the  french 
accounts,  and  such  affectation  of  publicity,  contrary 
to  their  usual  custom  that  I know  not  what  to  make 
of  it.  I have  seen  a letter  from  Brest  with  a long 
account  of  the  late  engagement  between  one  of  our 
ships,  which  is  therein  called  the  Maria  Louisa  of  74 
guns,  and  the  60  gun  ship  of  France,  which  happened 
on  the  20th  (N.  S.)  of  last  month ; the  small  ship  with 
the  Pretender’s  boy  escaped  to  Scotland,  but  the 
muskets  and  the  150  Volunteers  (the  half  of  which, 
that  account  says,  was  killed  in  the  engagement)  were 
on  board  the  large  ship,  which  was  so  disabled  that  it 
was  obliged  to  return  to  Brest.  Now,  how  is  it 
possible  that  from  the  20th  N.  S.  of  last  month, 
supposing  the  boy  got  to  Scotland  the  same  day,  that 
he  should  have  had  time  to  despatch  my  Lord  Temple 
from  Scotland  to  Borne  with  the  news  that  arrived  the 
5th  Inst.  N.  S.  ? Again,  is  it  probable  that  the  boy 
would  venture  to  land  without  his  company  of 
Knights  and  the  arms  he  had  provided,  which  were 
said  possitively  to  be  on  board  the  ship  that  returned 
to  Brest ; the  account  of  the  engagement  with  this 
circumstance  is  wrote  by  the  second  Captain  who 
took  the  command  of  the  ship  in  lieu  of  the  first  who 
was  killed  in  the  fight ; so  that  it  appears  he  must,  if 
he  landed,  be  gone  alone.  The  french  accounts  say 
that  he  was  on  march  to  Edingborugh,  of  which  they 
did  not  doubt  he  was  master  of.  Maillebois  writes  to 
Count  Lorenzi : ££  Voila  une  nouvelle  qui  consternera 
beaucoup  les  amis  et  allies  dc  la  Reine  d’Hongrie  ; 


/ 


196 


LETTER  TO  THE  OLD  CHEVALLER.  1745. 


c’est  pourquoi  je  la  rendray  aussi  publique  que  je 
pourray.”  Count  Lorenzi  does  the  same,  so  that  there 
is  not  a boy  in  the  streets  who  does  not  talk  of  it  . . . 
A second  Courier  arrived  a few  days  ago  at  Rome, 
supposed  to  be  to  the  Pretender,  though  he  dismounted 
at  the  Post  and  affected  to  walk  about  the  streets 
of  Rome,  nor  publickly  went  to  anybody’s  house. 

■'  The  boy’s  letter  to  his  father  is  made  to  contain 
no  more  than  this  : “fatigue  enfin  d’un  long  exil,  j’ai 
pris  ma  resolution  d’aller  chercher  en  Ecosse  ou  une  vie 
ou  une  mort  digne  de  mon  sang” ; this  seems  too  con- 
cise ; however,  this  and  no  more,  but  asking  his  father’s 
and  the  Pope’s  blessing,  is  published  at  Rome  with 
great  affectation.  The  Cardinal  (friendly  Albani)  writes 
that  he  knows  the  Pretender  has  been  in  person  to  ask  ' 
the  Pope  for  money  for  this  holy  undertaking.  The 
accounts  are  too  exact  and  prove  too  much,  but  I hope 
it  will  be  found  that  the  Pretender  endeavours  to  make 
a private  utility  from  a scheme  they  lend  their  name 
to,  and  which  otherwise  France  alone  could  draw  any 
profit  from.  The  affectation  in  publishing  all  this, 

I hope  will  end  in  a scheme  of  France  to  cause  an 
alarm  in  the  Kingdom  with  a view  of  preventing  any 
more  troops  being  sent  to  Flanders.  I cannot  write 
myself,  however,  out  of  the  anxiety  I am  under.’ 

August  2 4 if  A — ‘The  Pretender’s  people  stick  to  it 
that  the  boy  is  gone  to  Scotland,  and  Murray  is  vio- 
lently angry  with  those  that  make  any  doubt  of  the 
reality  of  anything  they  have  been  pleased  to  publish. 
They  say  the  Pretender  himself  is  to  leave  Rome  soon, 
to  go  either  to  France  or  Avignon  to  be  near  at  hand 
to  direct  his  son’s  steps.  The  Cardinal,  who  believes 


1745. 


LETTERS  FROM  ROME. 


197 


this,  says  that  the  only  thing  that  retards  his  journey 
is  the  want  of  money,  for  which  he  has  applied  to  the 
Pope,  and  that  after  many  conferences  on  this  head, 
as  if  they  doubted  his  credit,  it  had  been  agreed  that 
he  should  have  ~ crowns,  on  his  depositing  jewels 
for  that  value  in  the  Monte  di  Pieta.  If  it  be  true, 
and  that  he  should  depart,  I must  send  a Courier  to 
Hanover  with  the  notice,  from  whence  it  will  be  sent 
to  England.  Whilst  I am  writing  to  you  about  the 
father,  I am  expecting  with  the  utmost  impatience, 
news  from  you  about  the  son/ 

Mr.  Chute,  in  a letter  from  Rome  (August  28th), 
speaks  of  reports  abounding  there  as  they  did  at 
Florence.  £ The  Pretendentino  was  landed  in  Scot- 
land, was  met  by  20,  by  40,000  Highlanders  on  the 
shore,  was  marched  to  Edinburgh,  was  master  of  it ; on 
his  march  to  London, — ££  caro  Fratello  Duchino  non 
iscrivo  piu — a rivederci  a St.  Giams  ! ” Abbe  Grant 
lias  letters  in  his  Pockett  from  seventy  Lords  who 
would  live  and  die  with  the  boy.  My  Lord  Dunbar 
had  sent  a Monsignore  to  school  me  for  my  neglect 
of  him.  I was  to  expect  all  the  punishments  our 
dying  Laws  stretch’d  by  a future  Chancellor  could 
bequeathe  me.  . . . What  could  I do  ? I had  once 
almost  resolved  to  turn  Abbate  and  address  a Sonnet 
to  the  Pope’s  great  Dog.’ 

‘ They  tell  us,  when  the  Election’  (of  Emperor  of 
Germany)  ‘ is  done,  we  are  to  have  a vast  army  in 
Flanders,  and  besides  that,  we  are  to  have  peace  with 
the  King  of  Prussia.  These  are  very  pleasing  Dreams, 
if  one  was  asleep  enough  to  enjoy  them.  I own,  my 
fears  disturb  my  rest. 


/ 


198 


FLYING  EFFORTS. 


1745. 


‘ I blush  more  for  Commodore  Cooper’s  Bombs  at 
Savona, — which  did  not  do  what  they  might, — than 
for  the  poor  Duke  ’ (of  Cumberland)  ‘ who  was  so  near 
doing  more  than  he  could  at  Fontenoy.  We  must  wait 
with  patience  for  the  arrival  of  Admiral  Vernon  who, 
they  face  me  down  here,  is  to  bring  our  Government’s 
answer  to  the  Genoese  remonstrance.  In  the  mean- 
time we  content  ourselves  with  plundering  poor 
harmless  Merchant  Vessels,  and  brag  of  the  Miglione 
di  Scudi  which  our  Captains  run  away  with ; this 
keeps  one  in  Countenance,  for  riches  are  respectable. 

‘ Mr.  Whithed  makes  you  his  Compliments.  He 
would  have  been  charmed  with  putting  an  argument 
on  foot  with  the  Princess  Borghese,  which  she  is  so 
well  skill’d  in  the  Handling  of,  but  she  has  done 
with  the  Subject,  and  exhibits  herself  no  more  to 
the  English.’ 

August  3Ls£. — -c  The  French,’  writes  Mann,  at 
this  date,  ‘ begin  to  be  ashamed  of  the  accounts  they 
have  published.  . . . Letters  which  have  this  instant 
come  in  from  Rome,  inform  me  that  even  these  people 
begin  to  depart  from  their  first  credulity  about  the 
Pretender’s  son,  yet  there  is  great  motion  in  the 
family.  The  Pretender  has  certainly  received  Z crowns 
from  the  Monte  di  Pieta,  on  a supposed  deposit  of 
Jewels  ; and  they  assert  that  he  has  received  more 
from  the  Pope,  and  that  preparations  are  making  for 
either  his  or  the  second  son’s  departure  ; some  ser- 
vants have  been  turned  off,  and  several  horses  sold. 
The  Cardinal  believes  that  the  Pretender  himself  has 
had  permission  to  go  into  France  or  Avignon  ; if  so, 
he  will  carry  his  son  with  him.’ 


1745. 


THE  CHEVALIER’S  SONS. 


199 


There  was  growing  uncertainty  by  the  7th  Sep- 
tember, on  which  day  Mann  wrote  of  the  Pretender’s 
partizans  in  Florence,  c they  affirm  he  is  in  Scotland 
incog. — The  Second  Son  departed  from  Pome,  the 
29tli,  at  night,  with  as  much  mystery  as  his  Deme- 
trius did  last  year ; for  some  days  before,  he  pretended 
to  be  ill  with  a swelled  face,  with  which  he  exhibited 
himself,  but  the  morning  of  his  departure,  it  was  said 
he  had  a fever  which  carried  symptoms  of  the  small 
pox,  so  nobody  was  admitted.  At  three  hours  in  the 
night,  he  set  out  with  the  same  Yalet  de  Chambre  of 
Bal.  Tencin,  who  attended  his  brother,  whom  some 
believe  that  he  has  gone  to  join  ; others,  that  he  goes 
to  Don  Phillip’s  army  only.  An  opinion  prevails  that 
the  Pretender  himself  will  set  oiit  soon.’ 

Mann  took  infinite  pains  in  sending  accounts  of 
what  was  passing  around  him,  to  the  Duke  of  New- 
castle, also  to  the  King, — in  England,  or  in  Hanover, 
or  to  meet  him  in  Holland,  if  he  were  travelling  that 
way,  on  his  road  to  his  British  dominions.  £ From 
Hanover,  Mr.  Blair  wrote  to  me,’  says  Mann,  ‘ that 
the  Earl  of  Kildare,  when  the  news  arrived  at 
Hanover  of  the  Pretender’s  sons  being  embarked 
for  Scotland,  offered  the  King  to  go  to  Ireland  in- 
stantly, to  raise,  mount,  and  cloathe  a regiment  of 
Dragoons  at  his  own  expense,  for  the  King’s  ser- 
vice.’ Our  Minister  in  Tuscany  had  other  troubles  on 
his  mind.  He  tells  Walpole  that  he  ‘ bullied  ’ the 
Captains  of  the  fleet  in  vain,  to  do  their  duty  in 
intercepting  hostile  vessels  of  war.  ‘ They  let  every- 
thing,’ he  writes,  'pass  into  Genoa,  which  would  be 
starved  if  proper  dispositions  were  made  to  prevent  it. 


/ 


200 


ENGLISH  JACOBITES  IN  ROME. 


1745. 


I write  continually  about  it ; tbey  tell  me  they  do  all 
they  can,  but  I don’t  believe  them,  and  it  makes  me 
mad  to  hear  everybody,  both  friends  and  enemies  abuse 
us  on  this  account,  and  laugh  at  our  Dominion  of  the 
Seas.  The  Captains  are  too  rich  with  prises  already 
taken,  to  run  the  risk  of  being  killed  for  artillery  or 
ammunition ! ’ 

October  5th. — ‘By  the  reports  of  our  enemies 
things  are  so  magnified  that  I am  daily  terrified.  One 
has  nobody  to  speak  to  or  to  receive  comfort  from ; 
nay,  one’s  very  friends  are  taught  by  their  confessors  to 
pray  for  the  Pretender’s  son’s  success  ; you  know  what 
Religion  can  do  on  weak  minds.  . . . The  behaviour  of 
some  English  at  Rome  was  as  impudent  as  they  dared, 
for  under  pretence  of  the  prohibition  being  only  for  the 
father,’  (against  visiting  him),  ‘they  paid  great  court  to 
the  sons,  and  were  caressed  by  them,  and  you  know 
how  many  arts  are  put  in  practise  there,  to  debauch  our 
young  travellers  of  late.  Then,  most  of  their  Gover- 
nors are  Jacobites.  It  is  incredible  what  mischief  this 
circumstance  occasions.  Holdsworth  has  done  more 
harm  in  this  way  than  can  be  conceived.  I have 
too  much  reason  to  believe  that  Ramsay,  who  was  with 
my  Lord  Eglington,  was  of  the  same  stamp,  and  his 
Lord  was  strangely  tinctured.  . . . You  may  easily 
guess  what  uneasy  hours  I pass.  Mr.  Chute  is  at 
Rome,  and  sends  me  accounts  of  the  insolences  that 
are  broached  there,  and  as  both  he  and  Mr.  Whithed 
are  enraged  at  them,  they  cannot  keep  their  tempers, 
I fear  they  will  be  insulted  on  this  account.  The 
Cardinal  seems  sincere  at  present.  The  Austrian 
interest  and  ours  are  too  nearly  united  to  permit  him 


1745. 


THE  JACOBITE  POPE. 


201 


to  neglect  giving  me  any  notice.  My  private  cor- 
respondents do  the  same,  but  they  only  come  to  alarm 
me,  for  the  assurance  of  the  Pretender’s  party  is  so 
great,  that  one  would  think  they  were  sure  of  success.’ 

October  19 th. — ‘ All  possible  means,  I hope,  will  be 
used  to  take  the  boy  ; he  should  be  made  a sacrifice  of, 
it  would  cure  them  from  making  any  more  attempts, 
and  would  discredit  France  in  the  greatest  degree. 
The  Pope  would  make  a Martyr,  and  in  time,  a Saint 
of  him ; but  I had  rather  he  should  be  prayed  to,  by 
these  fools,  in  Heaven,  than  adored  in  Scotland  or 
England,  where,  in  time,  he  would  make  Martyrs  of  us 
all. 

‘The  Pope  is  such  a Coglione,  that  I can’t  bear  him, 
nor  the  insolence  of  his  Court.  I think  really  England 
ought  not  to  suffer  such  to  declare  themselves  our 
enemies,  and  not  chastize  them.  If  their  religion 
teaches  them  to  be  such  and  obliges  them  to  give  us  all 
the  disturbance  they  can,  they  ought  to  expect  we 
should  resent  it ; nay,  make  a merit  with  Heaven  for 
being  chastized  on  that  account.  Seriously,  their 
insolence  is  too  great.’ 

October  2 6th. — ‘We  are  in  daily  expectation  to 
hear  of  the  Pretender’s  departure  from  Rome.  Every- 
thing is  prepared  ; a new  Berline  on  springs,  and  a 
chaise,  are  ready  near  his  house  at  Albano.  I have 
been  most  delightfully  well  informed  of  all  his  motions. 
A back  door  has  been  made  at  his  villa,  to  go  to  a 
neighbouring  little  one,  where  ail  his  things  are  ready ; 
and  by  the  help  of  that  private  door,  he  can  go  to  it, 
without  being  seen  by  any  of  his  servants. 

‘Poor  Mr.  Chute  and  Whithed  have  been  at  Rome, 


/ 


202 


SCENES  IN  SOME. 


1745. 


at  a most  shocking  time ; but  have  most  heroically 
kept  up  their  spirits,  and  contradicted  all  the  lies  the 
Jacobites  spread ; by  which  means,  they  insensibly 
became  the  head  of  quite  a new  party  in  Rome.  I 
say  quite  new,  for  really  hitherto  our  English  have 
either  laboured  secretly  or  scandalously.  Those  who 
have  abstained  from  going  to  the  Pretender’s  people, 
have  paid  profound  court  to  his  sons,  or  to  Dunbar, 
in  company.  The  latter,  not  being  used  to  the  con- 
tempt the  Chutes  have  shewn  him,  has  done  all  he  can 
to  discredit  them,  seeing  they  were  well  introduced,  by 
telling  everybody  they  were  of  the  meanest  extraction, 
and  that  Mr.  Chute  was  Mr.  Whithed’s  governor. 
This  has  made  a very  disadvantageous  impression 
where  they  had  even  been  vastly  well  received  before. 
I have  wrote  such  letters  to  the  Cardinal  about  it  that 
the  Jacobites  would  poison  me  if  they  were  to  see 
them.  Murray  says  publickly  that  the  King  his 
Master  is  highly  offended  at  Chute  and  Whithed,  not 
so  much  for  what  they  have  said  as  for  their  in- 
solence in  not  going  to  court,  since  they  must  know 
how  things  go  now.  Was  ever  such  insolence  V 

On  November  the  9th,  Mann  writes  at  great  length 
that  at  the  news  from  England,  his  spirits  were  rising, 
c which  the  clamours  from  Rome  had  quite  sunk,  for 
there  the  Rebellion  goes  on  much  more  prosperously 
than  in  Scotland.’  At  still  greater  length,  in  his  most 
wordy  manner,  he  proceeds  to  express  his  belief  that 
Prince  Charles  Edward,  £ the  boy,’  is  not  in  Scotland 
at  all,  but  in  Spain  ; a belief  founded  on  the  report 
of  a drunken  courier  who  had  been  to  Avignon 
with  Henry,  the  younger  son  of  the  Pretender,  and 


1745. 


THE  OLD  CHEVALIER. 


203 


also  affirmed  in  his  cups,  that  the  two  brothers  had 
there  met,  and  that,  on  their  parting,  the  elder  brother 
had  set  out  for  Spain ! Mann  had  ‘ a little  friend  ’ 
who  served  him  as  a spy.  This  lad’s  father  was  in  the 
Pretender’s  household  at  Albano,  and  the  son  affected 
to  be  as  much  of  a Jacobite  as  his  sire,  and  so  picked 
up  many  a gossiping  item  which  was  not  intended  to 
be  repeated.  The  courier’s  story  was  one ; and  Mann  was 
inclined  to  believe  it.  ‘ Mr.  Chute,’  he  writes  on  the 
9th,  ‘says  that  he  has  had  great  opportunities  of  being 
informed,  that  the  Pretender  never  showed  that  anxiety 
that  was  natural,  had  such  an  enterprize  been  under- 
taken by  his  son  in  person,  though  looked  upon  in  the 
most  advantageous  light  consistent  with  the  nature  of 
it.  On  the  contrary,  the  Pretender  has  been  consider- 
ably more  gay  and  cheerfull.  You  know  what  a 
Pusillanimous  being  it  is : even  a person  of  the 
greatest  firmness  of  mind  must  have  been  uneasy, 
and  discovered  it  at  sometime,’  At  immense  length, 
Maun  justifies  his  opinion  that  Charles  Edward  was 
not  in  Scotland,  but  he  does  not  venture  to  guess  who 
was  playing  his  part  there. 

November  20th. — ‘ The  foreign  papers  say  that  the 
King  offered  the  command  of  the  troops  going  to 
Scotland,  to  Lord  Stair,  but  that  he  answered,  that  as 
he  was  thought  too  old  to  command  in  Flanders,  he 
was  not  grown  younger  since.  Another  paragraph  in 
the  papers  is  credited  by  all  the  Italians, — that  the 
King,  speaking  to  his  Council  of  the  Rebellion,  asked 
the  Bishop  of  Canterbury  what  was  to  be  done  and 
what  could  be  undertaken  for  his  safety.  The  Bishop 
replied  that  he  would  order  prayers  to  be  said  for  him 


/ 


204. 


THE  LEGHORN  MERCHANTS. 


1745. 


in  all  tlie  Churches,  from  which  they  conclude  all  was 
gone.’ 

The  body  of  English  Merchants  at  Leghorn  did 
not  think  so.  Those  gentlemen  were  stout  Hano- 
verians, and  Mann  suggested  that  they  would  do 
themselves  honour  by  sending  a loyal  address  to  the 
King. 

‘They  seemed,’  he  says,  ‘ overjoyed  at  the  oppor- 
tunity.’ Goldworthy  invited  them  to  dinner  last 
Wednesday,  which  was  the  King’s  birthday ; and 
there  the  Address  was  proposed.  Their  joy  in  toasting 
healths  was  vastly  pompous.  I send  you  the  list  for 
your  diversion.  The  address  you  will  probably  see 
printed.  I do  not  approve  of  the  distribution  of  their 
Chambers  which  were  fired  at  the  healths.  I would 
very  willingly  have  given  half  of  mine  to  add  to  the 
number  of  the  Duke’s,  and  have  divided  the  rest  between 
their  Imperial  Majesties  and  the  King  of  Sardinia. 

‘ The  following  is  a copy  of  the  List  of  Healths. 

Public  Healths  drank  at  Leghorn  Dinner. 


1.  To  His  Majesty Chambers  100 

2.  To  the  Prince,  Princess,  and  Royal  Family  . 60 

3.  To  the  Duke  (of  Cumberland) 40 

4.  To  their  Imperial  Majesties 40 

5.  To  the  King  of  Sardinia 40 

6.  To  Marshal  Wade  and  success  to  the  King’s 

Forces  under  his  Command 30 

7.  To  Success  to  the  Allies 30 


8.  Confusion  to  the  Pretender  and  his  Adherents  50 

9.  To  the  Nobility  and  Gentry  who  are  arming  at 

their  own  Expense  in  defence  of  our  Re- 
ligion and  Libertys  . 


50 


1745. 


PAPAL  PERPLEXITY. 


205 


10.  To  a Peace  with  the  King  of  Prussia  our 

Ally 30 

11.  To  the  Admirals  and  all  His  Majesty’s  Fleet . 30 

12.  To  His  Majesty’s  Resident,  Mr.  Maun,  at 

Florence 50 

13.  To  the  Pious  and  Immortal  Memory  of  King 

William  the  Third  for  the  Glorious  Legacy 
he  left  us 50 

14.  To  the  Success  of  the  British  Factory  and 

Trades 50 


Chambers  Nrs  650 

November  23rd. — The  Pope  was  as  anxious  for 
the  success  of  the  Pretender  as  he  was  reluctant  to 
acknowledge  the  new  Emperor  of  Germany,  Francis. 

‘ He  still  finds  pretences,’  says  Mann,  ‘ to  put  oft' 
acknowledging  the  Emperor.  He  had  fixed  a Con- 
sistory for  that  purpose,  on  the  22nd,  but  lately  sent 
for  the  Ambassador  and  made  objections  to  the  terms 
of  the  Emperor’s  letter.  In  short  the  french  and 
Spanish  Cabals,  united  with  those  of  the  Pretender,  so 
terrify  the  coglione  Pope,  that  he  does  not  dare  do  what 
he  promised.  Couriers  have  been  sent  to  Vienna  on 
this  account,  and  the  Marquis  de  ( illegible ) only  waits 
for  their  return,  and  will  then  probably  leave  Rome 
without  carrying  his  acknowledgment  to  Vienna.  Hoav 
I long  to  see  the  Pope  punished  foi  the  contempt  with 
which  he  treats  everybody  but  France,  Spain,  and  the 
Pretender.  Valenti  is  the  villain  that  governs  him 
under  the  tuition  of  Acquaviva.  Accounts  have  been 
printed  at  Rome  of  the  Rebels’  success  in  Scotland.  I 
send  one  to  the  Duke  of  Newcastle  by  this  post.  Some- 


206 


POPE  AND  PRETENDED, 


1745. 


thing  contemptible  and  mortifying  to  Rome  ought  to 
be  printed  in  England  and  dispersed  in  a foreign 
language.’ 

December  7th. — ‘I  can  hear  nothing  from  England 
about  the  Pretender’s  son,  so  I’ll  tell  you  what  they 
say  at  Rome.  He  gives  out  that  all  goes  well,  and 
they  print  accounts  of  his  progress,  and  his  speeches 
to  his  Highlanders.  They  say  that  France  had  sent 
an  Irish  regiment  into  Scotland,  and  that  thousands 
more  are  to  follow.  The  last  thing  that  has  been 
printed  is  a letter  from  Colonel  Olimphant  (sic)  to  a 
friend  of  his  in  the  King’s  service  in  Flanders  ; a most 
simple  composition,  but  it  is  too  bad. 

‘ The  Pope  has  given  the  Pretender  ~ crowns,  and 
si  indulgences  to  as  many  as  will  pray  for  his  success. 
Publick  devotions  have  been  performed  in  the  Church 
of  St.  Francis  and  at  Sto.  Spirit o there  has  been  a 
Triduo,  and  the  Exposition  of  their  Sacrament,  with 
all  the  solemn  nonsence  they  can  invent.  I don’t 
wonder  at  this,  but  I own  I am  surprised  the  Pope 
parted  with  the  -S  crowns ; half  the  expense  of  making 
a Saint,  in  the  creation  of  which  that  old  coglione  so 
much  delights. 

'.  . . A person  here  has  received  a letter  from  a friend 
of  his  in  Lancashire,  a man  of  an  Estate,  who  ac- 
quaints him  the  Papists  were  grown  to  that  Insolence 
that,  among  others,  he  had  received  a letter  to  tell  him 
if  he  offered  to  stir  in  favour  of  the  Government,  that 
he  should  certainly  be  murthered  and  his  house  burnt 
down  ; which,  he  tells  his  friend  here,  has  so  alarmed 
him  that  he  never  ventured  out  after  it  was  dark,  nor 
could  venture  to  do  anything  till  the  troops  they  ex- 


1745. 


THE  EMI’EROR  FRANCIS. 


207 


peeled  came  into  that  country.  It  seems  to  me 
astonishing  that  nobody  is  taken  up.  I announced 
Holds  worth’s  return  to  England,  loaden  I daresay, 
with  treasonable  letters,  and  the  boy’s  pictures  which 
I know  he  carried — -but  no  notice  was  taken  of  these 
informations.’ 

December  27th. — The  contents  of  your  letter  are 
like  Sal  volatile  to  my  drooping  spirits.  You  cannot 
think  how  the  insolent  Jacobites  at  Rome  deject  one,  T 
have  often  made  a resolution  not  to  believe  a word 
they  say,  but  they  come  upon  one  so  many  ways  that 
it  is  impossible  to  be  quite  indifferent  to  their  reports. 

‘ The  Pope  has  at  last  acknowledged  the  Emperor, 
in  spite  of  the  French  and  Spanish  Cabals,  strength- 
ened by  those  of  the  Pretender,  who  all  shew  the 
utmost  mortification.  The  first  is  important  and 
threatens  every  body  with  the  displeasure  clu  Roy. 
The  second  will  have  every  body’s  bones  broken  who 
offers  to  rejoice  ; and  forbids  all  the  Neapolitan  Cardi- 
nals and  dependents  lighting  up  a single  torch  on  the 
occasion ; but  they  all  ventured  to  disobey,  except 
Cardinal  Borghese.  It  was  not  the  same  with  the 
nobility  who  have  Feuds  in  Naples,  which  were  to  be 
confiscated  had  they  disobeyed.  As  to  the  Preten- 
der, who  used  on  all  publick  occasions  to  rejoice  with 
every  body,  on  this  he  has  shown  his  attachment  to 
his  allies,  France  and  Spain,  and  by  that  means  saved 
his  wax  torches.  Nay,  his  anxiety  is  so  great,  that  I 
dare  say  he  has  taken  a resolution  to  employ  all  his 
future  naval  forces  against  the  new  Emperor  and  any 
one  that  calls  him  so. 


208 


SOCIAL  TRAITS. 


1745. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

1745. 

The  other  side  of  the  picture,  in  which  social  traits 
are  almost  exclusively  dealt  with,  presents  these 
sketches  to  the  ‘ Curious.’ 

January  5th. — c Our  Carnival  is  begun  with  two 
of  the  worst  Operas  that  was  ever  known ; that  in  the 
great  theater,  after  the  first  night’s  representation,  was 
suspended  for  a week  in  hopes  of  mending  it,  but  all 
that  has  been  done  is  to  shorten  it,  so  that  there  is  only 
not  so  much  bad.  Most  of  the  Lorainers  are  the  Ini- 
presarii,  and  amongst  them  the  learned  Lady  Walpole. 
A droll  scene  happened  lately  between  her  and  General 
Andrasi,  a very  learned  man  for  a hussar;  she  put 
him  on  the  topick  of  Metaphy gists , as  usual ; and  on 
his  not  being  confounded  on  her  mention  of  Newton, 
she  cried  out  ; Worse  Signor  General  a letto  Voltaire.” 
— “ No,  my  Lady,  ho  letto  Newton,  e 1’  intendo  molto 
bene”;  but  as  they  could  not  agree,  she  would  not 
allow  that.’ 

‘ . . . I am  resolved,’  says  Mr.  Chute,  writing  to 
Walpole,  under  Mann’s  cover,  ‘my  letter  shall  begin 
with  something  new,  and  therefore  date  it  at  this  end. 
I dare  say  this  is  the  first  1745  you  have  ever  seen  in 


1745. 


SPECULATION. 


209 


your  life  ; and  I swear  ’tis  an  odd  thing  to  look  a new 
year  thus  in  the  Face.  If  I were  to  live  to  write 
1800,  a new  Century!  Jesus!  how  it  would  make 
one  stare,  if  one  was  not  to  be  blind  first.  I wonder 
what  sort  of  a world  it  will  be  then  ! Will  there  be  a 
Bruin  of  Brandenburg  to  roar  and  ravage  and  suck 
his  bloody  paws,  as  he  does  now ; or  will  the  Queen 
of  Hungary  lead  one  muzzled  in  a cord  and  make  him 
leap  over  her  Scepter  for  the  Emperor  Joseph  ? Will 
the  King  of  France  bestow  his  favours  on  a Due  or  a 
Duchesse  ? or  send  both  to  the  Devil  and  turn  Saint 
again  ? Who  will  be  Czar  of  Muscovy  ? who  King 
of  England  in  those  days  ? ’ 

January  12th. — After  expressions  of  grief  at  Lord 
Orford’s  serious  illness,  Mann  says  : — ‘ There  is  an 
exercise  much  in  fashion  in  the  fleet,  and  said  to  be 
vastly  wholesome,  that  of  swinging.  I have  a great 
notion  my  Lord  might  bear  it ; they  are  made  so  easy 
and  secure  that  there  is  no  danger  of  falling.  I have 
had  one  sent  me  and  intend  to  use  it  every  day.  This 
is  all  the  diversion  this  winter  will  afford.  A courier 
arrived  two  days  ago,  with  the  notice  of  Madame 
Koyale’s  death  ’ (the  mother  of  the  Great  Duke  of 
Tuscany)  ‘ and  with  orders  to  suspend  all  diversions, 
to  which  a mourning  of  nine  months  succeeds.  All 
the  Great  Duke’s  ministers  are  to  dropper,  and  they 
say  we  must  follow  their  example.  My  brother  Mini 
Lorenzi  is  preparing  for  joy  and  mourning ; he  has 
received  a remittance  from  his  court  of  500  crowns, 
to  make  rejoicing  for  the  Dauphin’s  wedding,  and  is 
consulting  all  his  acquaintance  how  to  spend  them, 
with  most  eclat,  a Festino  in  his  own  house  will  be 


/ 


YOL.  I. 


P 


210 


THE  CRAONS. 


1745. 


but  indifferent  for  want  of  room  ; and  it’s  not  likely 
they’ll  give  him  the  theaters  now  they  are  shut  up.  ’ 

January  28th. — On  a sheet  of  paper  with  very 
narrow  mourning  border,  Mann  directs  attention  to 
that  outward  and  visible  sign  of  grief  and  says : — ‘ I 
believe  you  never  saw  any  like  it  before  ; here  every- 
body uses  it  but  myself.  I begged  a sheet  for  this 
occasion  only,  and  another  to  keep  for  a curiosity. 
Madame  Royale  was  very  impolite  to  dye  just  at  the 
beginning  of  Carnival  to  deprive  us  of  all  its  diver- 
sions. ...  I have  prevailed  on  the  Regency  to  let  the 
Livorneans  divert  themselves  ; their  Opera  has  been 
restored,  for  which  I am  in  high  favour  with  that  little 
town ; but  by  this  I have  drawn  the  Fiorentini  upon 
me,  who  are  angry  to  see  Leghorn  preferred,  and  that 
I would  not  make  representations  in  tlieir  favour  too. 
It  was  impossible  to  succeed,  therefore  I did  not 
attempt  it. 

£ Prince  and  Princess  Craon  whine  for  the  loss  of 
this  good  Princess  as  if  they  were  really  sorry  for  her  ! 
— and  then  they  were  so  nearly  related  and  loved  each 
other  so  perfectly.’  (Madame  Royale  went  over  to 
Paris  to  complain  to  her  father,  the  Regent  Duke  of 
Orleans,  of  her  husband’s  amour  with  the  Princess  de 
Craon.)  ‘Have  you  heard  of  Prince  Beauvau’s  ’ (son 
of  the  Craons)  ‘ good  fortune  ? besides  being  made 
Grand  d’Espagne,  the  King  of  France  complimented 
him  publickly  on  his  future  marriage  with  Mdlle.  de 
Bouillon  before  anything  was  agreed  upon  ; but  that 
has  fixed  it.  The  Craons  are  in  great  joy;  they  won’t 
accept  compliments,  but  don’t  refuse  them. 

‘ General  Braitwitz  has  wrote  again  to  the  Great 


1745. 


SOEBOW  AND  JOY. 


211 


Duke  to  insist  on  having  his  conge,  which  he  called 
the  permission  de  mon  conge.  He  had  composed  the 
strangest  letter  that  was  ever  seen,  except  those  the 
Great  Duke  writes  to  him  ; for  example  : “Ille  ne  pare- 
letem  pur  un  ojisie  cli  quitter  le  service  ” — (II  n’est  pas 
le  terns  pour  un  officier  de  quitter  le  service) — I don’t 
know  whether  you  ever  heard  a wise  saying  of  the 
Great  Duke’s,  that,  give  him  hut  five  Saints  ’ (his 
first  minister  was  named  Toussaint)  ‘and  he  would 
engage  to  govern  all  Europe,  “ metis  ille  ne  pas  posible 
de  le  trove  ! ” ’ 

February  1 6th. — ‘I  have  not  been  able  to  go  out 
to  day  to  make  my  compliment  on  the  birth  of  the 
second  Arch-Duke  which  has  produced  the  Ghost  of 
our  Carnival,  a permission  to  mask  and  be  merry  for 
three  days  only.  People  were  in  hopes  that  this 
event  would  have  restored  the  remainder  of  their 
Carnival,  but  the  Count’  (Richecourt)  ‘ keeps  his  word. 
He  told  them  last  St.  John  when  he  would  have  had 
them  mask  without  an  Opera  and  when  nobody  but 
Sbirri  of  his  own  employing  did,  that  they  would  find 
it  more  difficult  to  obtain  leave  when  they  should 
desire  it.  There  has  been  gala,  Sunday,  monday, 
and  to  day,  for  the  last,  which  is  to  be  concluded  with 
a ball  in  the  great  theater,  and  to-morrow  we  are  to 
weep  again  for  the  Arch-Duke’s  grandmother,  of  whom 
the  Florentines  say,  “ non  ci  fecero  mai  riclere  ! ” and 
indeed  neither  her  birthday  nor  nameday  were  ever 
taken  notice  of  here.  Many  assert  and  all  the  town 
believes  that  the  Great  Duke  has  given  leave  for  the 
Carnival  but  that  the  Count  won’t  produce  the  order. 
You  may  judge  of  the  clamour  against  him/ 


/ 


212 


ETIQUETTE. 


1/45. 


March  9th. — ‘ I must  tell  you  a coup  de  politique 
of  our  wise  Regent  liere.  Count  Lorenzi,  before  the 
death  of  the  Duchess  of  Lorraine,  received  500  pezzi 
from  his  court  to  make  rejoicings  for  the  marriage  of 
the  Dauphin ; he  was  preparing  with  the  greatest  eclat, 
and  had  announced  his  balls  and  tournaments  ; the 
mourning  intervened,  on  which  (I  thing  (sic)  very 
officiously)  he  wrote  a fine  letter  to  the  Regency,  to 
acquaint  them  with  his  design,  hoping  the  melancholly 
accident  might  not  make  the  execution  of  it  improper. 
On  which  he  received  for  answer  that  in  these  melan- 
choly circumstances  of  so  deep  a mourning  they  have 
left  it  to  his  discretion ; mine,  I must  have  confessed, 
would  have  been  to  obey  the  orders  of  my  Court,  but 
he  suspended,  and  gave  notice,  I suppose,  of  what  had 
passed,  to  his.  The  result  has  been  that  instead  of  a 
Ball  he  caused  the  Te  Deum  to  be  sung  at  the  french 
Convent,  and  did  not  invite  anybody,  which  has 
offended  highly.  Poor  Prince  Craon  is  afraid  the 
Court  of  France  will  be  angry  with  him.  He  spoke 
to  me  of  it  the  other  day,  complaining  that  he  was 
not  invited,  I said,  no  doubt  Lorenzi  had  orders,  and 
that  from  the  answer  the  Regency  gave,  he  had  little 
reason  to  suppose  they  wished  to  rejoice  on  the  occa- 
sion, and  what  might  confirm  him  or  his  court  in  that 
opinion  was  that  three  days  after  they  had  put  in 
as  strong  a caveat  as  they  could  do  against  his  rejoic- 
ing, they  had  caused  the  mourning  to  be  laid  aside 
for  three  days,  for  the  birth  of  the  Arch-Duke,  during 
which  all  publick  diversions  were  not  only  allowed 
but  encouraged.  Don’t  wonder  that  I give  you  the 
whole  detail  of  this  affair,  it  has  been  the  subject  of 


1 745. 


LEGACY  DUTIES. 


213 


discourse  and  discontent  out  of  pique  to  the  person 
who  was  the  occasion  of  their  being  deprived  of  a 
diversion  the  town  expected.  Count  Lorenzi,  besides 
his  Te  Deum,  illuminated  his  three  windows  with 
wax  torches  for  three  nights,  and  gave  some  bread  to 
the  poor,  so  that  neither  the  Court  of  France,  nor  the 
Court  of  Florence  has  acquired  great  honour.’ 

April  6th. — ‘ I must  tell  you  they  have  made  a 
demand  on  Prince  Craon  of  the  Gahella’  (tax  or  duty) 
‘of  his  new  daughter-in-law’s  fortune,  which  is  7\  per 
cent,  though  they  signified  to  him  they  intended  to 
make  him  a present  of  it.  They  exact  with  rigour 
the  Gabella  on  all  the  legacies  the  Electress  left,  and 
everything  is  valued  ; but  what  is  most  extraordinary, 
they  insist  on  being  paid  for  the  pensions  she  left  to 
those  who  are  since  dead ; for  example,  Siristori 
and  Mme.  Uguccioni  died  about  a year  after,  con- 
sequently their  pensions  cease,  but  they  had  fixed 
their  lives  in  their  own  accounts,  for  five  years,  which 
they  still  demand ; it  has  been  answered  that  they  are 
dead ; well,  but  they  ought  to  have  lived  five  years. 

. . . Again,  the  living  servants  had  5 or  6 crowns  per 
month  for  their  lives ; these  are  esteemed  according 
to  their  ages,  and  they  are  obliged  to  pay  the  whole 
down  as  if  they  were  arrived  at  the  end  of  their 
calculation — and  all  this  is  suffered  ! ’ 

April  20 tk. — ‘For  this  week  past,  the  Holy  Week, 
the  Count  ’ (Richecourt)  ‘ has  retired  to  the  country, 
for  devotion ; during  which  my  Lady  ’ (Walpole)  ‘ had 
a prohibition  to  interrupt  his  confessions.  She  had 
permission  to  go  last  Saturday.  You  will  admire 
her  economy  of  time  ; she  took  the  advantage  of  that 


/ 


214 


DEATH  OF  THE  EARL  OF  OFF  ODD.  1745. 


sequester,  to  blister  for  tier  complexion,  as  slie  often 
does  (for  the  return  of  the  Count).  Judge,  after  such 
an  absence,  how  fair  she  must  appear  in  his  eyes  ; and 
as  it  is  said  that  Eeligion  is  a great  provocative,  it  is 
to  be  hoped  she  was  no  loser  by  the  pause.’ 

On  the  death  of  the  Earl  of  Orford,  and  the 
accession  of  Lord  Walpole  to  his  father’s  dignity, 
the  court  of  Florence  caused  the  English  minister  to 
be  overwhelmed  with  visits  or  messages  of  condolence. 

4 Among  the  first,’  Mann  says  (May  4th),  4 was  Count 
Eichecourt.’  Mann  adds,  4 My  Lady  brags  that  she 
shall  now  be  extremely  rich.  I consider  that  she 
designs  to  go  into  mourning.  I believe  that  she 
expects  to  be  wrote  to  by  my  Lord  ; but  whether 
then  she  would  go  into  mourning  I can’t  tell.  To 
people  that  have  applied  to  me,  to  know  what  change 
this  event  would  make  in  her  affairs,  I have  answered 
that  I could  not  foresee  that  it  would  make  any  but 
in  her  name.’ 

Among  the  Mann  letters  is  a note  from  the  Prince 
de  Craon  himself  to  Horace  Walpole,  expressive  of  his 
sympathy  with  the  latter  on  account  of  Lord  Orford’s 
death.  It  is  to  this  effect,  and  is  in  a bold  hand  for 
an  Octogenarian. 

4 Monsieur,  je  suis  trop  Sensible  a tons  les  Evene- 
ments  qui  vous  interressent  pour  vous  laisser  ignorer 
la  part  que  je  prends  a la  perte  que  vous  venez  de 
faire  de  Monsieur  votre  pere ; nous  connaissons 
Made,  de  Craon  et  moy  la  bonte  de  votre  coeur,  et 
nous  resscntons  vivement  ceque  luy  en  a coute  dans 
cette  occasion,  nous  ne  pouvons  Monsieur  vous  rien 


1745. 


LADY  ORFORD. 


215 


offrir  de  plus  propre  a servir  a votre  consolation  cpie 
ces  Sentiments  dont  nous  sommes  penetrez,  qui  sont 
si  conformes  aux  votres. 
jay  L’honneur  detre  avec 
l’attacliement  le  plus  inviolable 
et  le  plus  fidel 

votre  tres  bumble 
et  tres  obeissant  Serviteur 

Le  prince  de  Craon. 


florence, 

le  1 de  May  1745. 

Le  prince  de  Beauvau  est  marie  depuis  un  mois  avec 
Mile.  D’auvergne,  que  jay  l’honneur  Monsieur  de 
vous  en  donner  part  persuade  que  vous  luy  con- 
tinuerez  l’amitie  dont  vous  lavez  honore  icy. 


May  18th. — ‘I  bear  that  my  Lady  Orford  is  not 
in  mourning  because  she  has  received  no  notice  from 
your  family.  She  tells  people  she  will  go  to  England 
as  the  obstacle  towards  her  recovering  her  right  is 
removed,  and  will  lie  attended  by  an  Abbe  Nicoli, 
an  under-secretary  of  the  Count’s,  but  I don’t  believe 
she  will  go.  ...  I have  lately  bad  a little  correspond- 
ence with  two  of  your  relations ; your  Uncle’s  eldest 
son  who  is  coming  to  Florence  (I  think  you  called 
him  pig  wigging),  be  has  refused  living  with  me.  The 
other  is  George  Townshend,  Captain  of  a ship,  one  of 
those  under  my  directions.  . . . The  Abbe  Nicoli  has 
made  cloathes,  to  appear  in  England,  where  his  short 
cloak  and  band  won’t  do.’ 

June  lsh — ‘ I am  inconsolable  for  the  loss  of  the 
Chutes  who  departed  last  Thursday ; this  makes  so 
great  a change  in  my  way  of  life  that  I don’t  know 


/ 


2L6 


MB.  CHUTE. 


1745. 


wliat  to  betake  myself  to.  I think  there  is  no  clanger 
of  my  becoming  a Cicisbeo,  though  there  is  no  other 
society  in  this  country  ; after  having  been  four  years 
constantly  with  people,  one  is  very  awkward  without 
them  ; he  was  vastly  good  to  me  and  bore  with  me  in 
all  my  epuisements  and  headachs.  I have  now  no 
resource.  Mr.  Chute  went  away  vastly  afflicted  for 
the  death  of  his  favourite  brother,  a confirmation  of 
which  he  received  the  night  before  he  set  out.  I am 
in  great  hopes  the  journey  will  divert  his  melancholy. 
They  have  taken  the  road  of  Bologna,  Ravenna,  Lo- 
retto,  etc.,  and  will  be  at  Rome  in  about  ten  days, 
where  they  proposed  to  stay  most  part  of  the  summer 
and  then  hasten  to  England.’ 

On  the  26  th  of  June,  Mr.  Chute  seems  to  have 
considerably  recovered.  f Rome,  June  26,  1745,’  is 
written  in  the  uppermost  corner  of  the  sheet  of  fools- 
cap, and  the  comment  on  this  text  is  ‘ I write  to  you 
now  because  you  are  the  only  person  in  the  world  who 
can  enter  freely  into  the  distress  which  stares  you  in 
the  face,  at  the  Top  of  my  Letter.  Do  but  think,  I 
am  no  longer  at  Florence.  I have  left  Mr.  Mann. 
I need  say  no  more  to  entitle  me  to  your  compassion. 
You  know  what  I have  left,  and  ’tis  my  only  comfort 
to  think  you  will  love  me  and  write  to  me  because 
you  pity  me.  ...  I may  permit  myself  to  do  justice 
to  his  Goodness  for  me,  which  has  as  much  exceeded 
all  I could  expect,  as  it  really  does  what  I pretend  to 
deserve.  I know  I owe  the  beoinnino-  of  his  Friend- 

O O 

ship  to  you.  . . . The  umvearied  continuance  of  it  for 
four  years  together,  I can  give  no  account  of  at  all, 
except  I can  suppose  he  has  looked  into  my  heart, 


1745. 


HIS  LETTER. 


217 


which  of  all  others  is  undoubtedly  the  best  part  of 
me.  This  I ought  not  to  say  to  you,  because  you  are 
capable  of  thinking  it  a real  merit  which  I ascribe  to 
myself ; do  so,  and  censure  me  as  vain,  provided  you 
believe  me  sincerely  so.  My  dear  Sir,  can  you  forgive 
me  not  writing  to  you  when  all  mankind  did.  Mr. 
Mann  promised  me  to  mention  me,  and  I know  he 
did.  The  reason  that  I did  not  mention  myself  was 
that  I despaired  of  saying  anything  you  could  hear  in 
the  way  of  consolation’  (for  Lord  Oxford’s  death)  £’Twas 
folly  even  to  think  my  letter  could  do  you  any  good, 
and  I found  the  great  melancholly  occasion  much  too 
serious  for  me  to  compliment  about.  ...  I must  thank 
you  ten  thousand  times  for  a kind  paragraph  in  your 
last  to  Mr.  Mann  which  he  would  not  let  me  read. 
My  loss  is  inexpressible  on  all  accounts,  nor  am  I able 
to  find  the  least  comfort  in  being  an  horrid  step  nearer 
to  a mould’ring  Estate  which  has  lost  the  only  chance 
of  ever  being  repaired. 

£ I would  never  have  believed  some  few  years  ago 
that  it  was  possible  for  me  to  look  with  such  an  eye  of 
indifference  upon  Rome  as  I do  ; hitherto  nothing  has 
made  any  impression  upon  me  ; all  statues  appear  like 
those  at  High  Park  Corner  ’ (from  Apsley  House,  then 
an  ale  house,  to  Park  Lane,  was  occupied  by  the  stone- 
mason statuaries  for  gardens  and  graveyards,  who 
afterwards  removed  to  the  New  Road)  £ and  a Raphael 
or  a Domenichino  is  no  more  than  Queen  Anne’s  head 
at  an  ale  house  door.  I have  indeed  seen  very  few  as 
yet,  and  though  I am  in  the  lodging  which  you  had 
last,  which  is  close  by  the  Villa  Medici,  I have 
passed  but  five  minutes  there,  and  when  it  was  too 


/ 


218 


PRINCE  BE  BEAUVAU. 


1745, 


dark  to  enjoy  any  tiring  but  the  solitude  of  tlie  place, 
which  reduced  all  the  charming  people  there  to  down- 
right gothick  sprights. 

‘ . . . There  is  just  arrived  a new  french  minister 
here.  The  Pope  despised  the  former  so  much,  they 
were  forced  to  recall  him  ; on  his  pressing  too  impor- 
tunately for  an  audience  some  time  ago,  the  Pope 
came  out  afc  last  in  a passion  and  said  : “ Coglioncello  ! 
non  sai  che  quando  non  voglio  sentire,  non  voglio 
sentire  ? ” 

‘ . . . Poor  M.  Beauvau,  Prince  Craon’s  youngest 
son,  is  in  the  dreadful  list  ’ (of  killed  at  the  siege  of 
Ypres)  ‘ he  writes  me  in  answer  to  my  compliment 
on  the  occasion,  “ Ma  consolation  ne  peut  etre  que 
1’ouvrage  du  Temps  ; il  emousse  la  pointe  de  tous  les 
sentiments,  et  il  detruit  enfin  la  plus  vive  douleur  que 
les  evenements  dont  il  est  le  pere  auroient  fait  naitre,” 
— ’tis  very  true,  but  I should  never  have  thought  of 
saying  it  so  finely.’  Horace  Walpole  has  written  at 
the  foot  of  this  letter  in  which  a man  speaks  of 
trusting  to  time  to  cure  his  grief : ‘ Prince  Craon  is 
fourscore  ! ’ 

June  29th. — £ Prince  Craon  thanks  you  for  your 
letter,  and  says  you  write  “le  plus  joliment  du  monde.” 
You  had  no  time  to  condole  with  him  for  his  son,  so  I 
suppose  you  won’t  venture  renovare  dolorem  ...  I 
have  introduced  the  Chutes  to  my  friend  Cardinal 
Albani  who  has  introduced  them  to  every  body,  so 
that  they  are  in  all  the  high  Roman  world.’ 

It  was  in  that  world  Mr.  Chute  made  the  discovery 
of  a work  of  art  which  became  one  of  the  highest 
prized  ornaments  of  Strawberry.  Mann  thus  describes 
it  in  a letter  dated  July  13th  : — 


1745. 


WALPOLWS  EAGLE. 


219 


‘ Mr.  Chute  has  pressed  me  to  mention  to  you,  a 
most  beautiful  antique  Eagle  that  has  lately  been 
found  at  Rome  in  the  highest  preservation  and  as  far 
superior  to  that  of  Benvenuto  Cellini  as  that  is  to 
the  worst  made  at  Hide  Park  Corner.  Cardinal 
Albani  is  in  love  with  it,  and  says  it  would  be 
a fine  present  for  the  new  Emperor,  but  that  he 
would  not  know  its  value.  He  thinks  it  too  dear. 
The  demand  is  250  crowns,  but  Mr.  Chute  believes, 
in  case  the  Cardinal  will  not  have  it  (as  it  was 
he  brought  him  acquainted  with  it)  that  he  could 
get  it  for  100  zecchini  (fifty  pounds).  It  stands  on  a 
sepulchral  stone  with  its  inscriptions  and  bassi  rilievi 
entire.  Mr.  Chute  thinks  you  might  indulge  your 
taste  for  antiquities  at  such  an  expense  ; all  I am 
assured  is  that  your  orders  will  come  late  in  case  you 
would  have  it.  I have  not  time  to  say  half  Mr.  Chute 
writes  in  its  praise,  but  by  his  accounts,  both  the 
Eagle  and  the  pedestal  are  compleat.’ 

‘ I don’t  know  what  to  say  to  Mr.  Chute’s  Eagle,’ 
wrote  Walpole  to  Mann  (July  28),  £I  would  fain  have 
it.  I can  depend  upon  his  taste  ; but  wouldn’t  it 
be  folly  to  be  buying  curiosities,  now  ? how  can  I 
tell  that  I shall  have  anything  in  the  world  to  pay 
for  it,  by  the  time  it  is  bought  1 You  may  present 
these  reasons  to  Mr.  Chute,  and  if  he  laughs  at  them, 
why  then  he  will  buy  the  Eagle  for  me ; if  he  thinks 
them  of  weight,  not.’  Chute  laughed,  and  he  bought 
the  famous  Eagle  which  had  been  recently  discovered 
in  the  Gardens  of  Boecapadregli,  within  the  precincts 
of  Caracalla’s  Baths,  at  Rome.  For  a century  it  stood 
on  its  altar  in  the  Gallery  at  Strawberry  Hill.  At  the 


220 


LADY  OJRFOED. 


1745. 


scattering  of  Strawberry,  by  sale,  the  Earl  of  Leicester 
purchased  the  work  of  art,  for  £210.  Earl  Fitz- 
william  subsequently  became  its  possessor,  at  a much 
higher  price  ; and,  at  the  present  moment,  the  grand 
weird-looking  bird  is  in  the  mansion  of  the  Earl  of 
Wernyss  in  Stratford  Place,  London. 

August  10th. — c I am  become  a la  mode  ; the 
Lorainers  even  frequent  me,  but  they  are  most  of 
them,  Anti-Richecourtiani.  The  last  time  I was  there 
he  took  an  opportunity  to  talk  of  Hanover.  ...  He 
said  my  Lady  Orford  had  wrote  to  him  from  thence, 
to  acquaint  him  that  she  had  been  most  graciously 
received  by  the  King  and  Princess  of  Hesse,  and  that 
she  never  failed  a day  going  to  Herrnhausen.  I 
replied  that  the  name  she  wore  exigeait  toujours  ties 
marques  cle  bonte  de  Sa  Majeste,  but  I was  resolved 
not  to  seem  to  understand  the  idea  he  wanted  to 
convey,  and  which  is  the  same  with  all  her  admirers, 
who  fancy  this  royal  favour  is  gaining  a great  point. 
They  are  ignorant  of  our  laws,  and  fancy  that  our 
Royal  family  condescend  to  interfere  in  family  affairs 
as  Giovanni  Gaston  (the  last  of  the  Medici  Dukes 
of  Tuscany)  used  to  do.  De  Sade  told  me  in  a large 
company,  speaking  of  this  subject,  that  “ l’Esprit  etoit 
dangereux.”  I told  him  I did  not  understand  him, 
but  that  it  was  necessary  he  should  distinguish 
between  France  and  England.  I don’t  think  it  impos- 
sible that  my  Lady  has  so  far  forgot  that  distinction 
as  to  have  hopes  and  a view  in  this  jaunt  to  Herrn- 
hausen.’ 

‘ The  Count  sees  Richmond,  Lady  Orford’s  gentle- 
woman, often  ; lie  goes  to  her,  and  she  to  him,  and 


1745. 


FAMILY  HJ STORY. 


221 


carries  her  with  him  in  his  coach,  to  his  country  house, 
where  they  say  he  is  fitting  up  an  appartment  for  my 
Lady.  ...  I cannot  help  wishing  with  many  others 
that  she  may  take  a fancy  to  any  place  but  this,  for  the 
country  is  better  without  her.  . . . It  is  not  my  Lord’s 
business  to  wish  to  prove  anything  against  her,  which 
might  authorize  him  to  demand  a separation,  or  a 
divorce,  either  of  which  would  prejudice  his  interests. 
. . . She  can  have  no  pretence  to  demand  either,  as 
her  absence  has  been  voluntary.  She  certainly  has 
undertaken  this  step  by  advice  from  England.’ 

This  family  history  is  pursued  in  a letter  of  the 
17th  August: — ‘I  cannot  help  repeating  my  fears 
that  my  Lord  may  take  a wrong  course  ; surely  it 
cannot  be  his  business  to  produce  proofs  that  might 
authorize  a divorce  or  separation.  She  would  not 
scruple  to  own  anything  that  he  suspects,  provided 
that  she  could  bring  it  to  that  issue.  In  case  she 
begins  a process,  in  my  opinion  my  Lord  should  only 
prove  that  he  never  gave  cause  to  her  absence  ; the 
consent  he  gave  to  her  going  abroad  for  her  health 
and  the  allowance  he  first  continued  to  her  are  proofs 
of  his  former  care  of  her ; her  persistence  in  staying 
abroad  against  his  consent,  is  a sufficient  motive  for 
having  lessened  the  first  allowance  ; though  in  its 
diminution  of  1000  per.  annum,  it  will  be  always 
considered  as  fully  sufficient  for  a rambling  lady. 

‘ My  conversations  are  very  brillantes  and  very 
numerous.  Pig  wiggin  delights  in  them  much,  though 
he  does  not  produce  himself  much.  Mme  Suares, 
you  know,  is  easy  of  access,  so  ho  takes  most  to  her. 
The  Vittorina  is  to  be  married  in  October.  They  put 


/ 


222 


MB.  ST.  JOHN. 


1745. 


it  off  as  long  as  possible,  in  hopes  of  something  coming 
forth  for  the  Teresa,  but  there  seems  no  likelihood  of  it. 
. . . You  have  heard  me  speak  of  Mr.  St.  John  the  mad- 
man ; his  madness  has  now  quite  changed  its  situation. 
He  has  a demand  on  Carducci  for  1000  crowns,  which 
the  latter  refuses  to  pay,  as  being  under  age  when  he 
contracted  the  obligation,  and  the  laws  here  are  on  his 
side.  St.  John  thinks  he  is  in  honour  bound  to  pay 
it,  and  besides  is  persuaded  if  he  does  not,  his  marriage 
will  turn  out  a,  nullity.  St.  John  says  that  his  sister 
has  often  told  him  so  from  heaven  ; she  has  been  dead 
these  three  years,  and  some  miracles  were  attributed 
to  her,  so  that  she  is,  with  some,  in  odore  di  Santita. 
St.  John  finished  a long  letter  to  me  on  the  subject  of 
Caducci  with  a singular  message  from  this  deceased 
sister  referring  to  the  marriage,  which  he  says,  “She 
prays  me  to  tell  you.”  5 

August  31st. — ‘The  Countess’s  stay  at  Hanover 
convinces  me  she  has  some  scheme.  . . . Richecourt 
constantly  receives  letters  from  her,  which  he  does  not 
conceal ; ...  he  goes  publickly  to  Richmond  and 
makes  his  coach  wait  at  the  door  for  hours.  She  has 
been  with  him  all  last  week  in  the  country  at  his 
Villa.  . . . The  publicity  with  which  he  carries  her 
about  is  quite  affected,  though  the  old  creature  can 
hardly  speak  a word  of  anything  but  English.’  Sep- 
tember 7th. — Mr.  Blair,  who  was  at  Hanover,  in  the 
King’s  suite,  wrote  thus  to  Mann : — ‘ My  Lady  Or- 
ford  has  been  here,  on  her  way  to  England,  and  I 
think,  does  you  great  honour  in  setting  forth  that  you 
have  always  been  a faithful  friend  and  servant  to  the 
late  and  present  Earls  of  Orforch’  ‘I  cannot  think,’ 


1745. 


THE  EMPEROR  FRANCIS. 


223 


says  Mann,  £ that  my  Lady  meant  this  as  any  com- 
mendation of  me.’ 

October  5th. — £ I write  to  you  instead  of  going  to 
a great  ball  in  the  Via  del  Popolo  which  the  officers 
give  in  honour  of  the  Election’  (of  Francis,  Great  Duke 
of  Tuscany,  as  Emperor  of  Germany).  £ Two  were 
given  by  the  Accademy.  To-day  is  the  Emperor’s 
name  (-day  ; St.  Francis’  day  is  on  October  4th),  and 
we  suppose,  his  coronation.  I am  very  little  of  a 
humour  to  participate  of  their  rejoicings,  and  yet  must 
be  at  them,  not  to  be  particular.  The  first  day  of  joy 
happened  to  be  my  Thursday,  and  the  Regency,  after 
the  Te  Deum,  which  ended  at  24  hours,  appointed 
nothing,  depending  on  everybody’s  coming  here  ; — so 
they  did  ; the  Prince  and  Princess,  near  200  ladies  and 
too  many  men  to  be  counted.  You  may  imagine  I 
was  crowded,  but  I had  practic’d  a Gallery  in  the 
Garden,  out  of  which  my  ground-rooms  enter  ; my 
Garden  and  all  was  well  lighted  ; it  made  a very  good 
appearance.  With  that  Assembly,  I put  an  end  to  my 
Thursdays  for  this  summer  ; and  this  evening  puts  an 
end  to  all  our  festivals,  which,  on  the  part  of  the  Govern- 
ment, have  been  equal  to  their  extreme  poverty,  for 
the  Court  carried  away  all  the  money.’ 

Rome  was  not  so  glad,  nor  disposed  to  allow 
others  to  be  so  glad  at  the  accession  of  the  new  Em- 
peror, as  the  Florentines  were,  or  would  have  been,  if 
the  Grand  Duke  before  he  was  elected  to  the  dignity, 
had  not  taken  £ all  the  money 5 he  could,  from  Florence 
to  Vienna.  In  the  above  letter  Mann  says  : — 

£A  circumstance  has  lately  happened  at  Rome 
that  makes  me  fear  greatly  for  the  Chutes,  who 


/ 


224 


A BIOT  IN  BOMB. 


1745. 


are  strongly  in  the  Austrian  party,  which  Aquaviva 
piques  himself  to  persecute.  On  the  last  Election  of 
the  Great  Duke  of  Tuscany  to  be  Emperor  of  Ger- 
many (Francis)  the  mob  to  show  their  joy,  as  well  as, 
I suppose,  to  get  money,  made  a figure  in  wood 
adorned  with  Imperial  Eobes  ; this  they  carried  in 
triumph  about  the  town,  not  meaning  I believe  to  give 
any  offence,  and  last  week  went  in  great  numbers  to 
Franchini’s  house,  that  is  the  Palazzo  Medici,  on  the 
Trinita  del  Monte ; this  joy  was  soon  disturbed  by 
Aquaviva’s  whole  guard  of  100  people,  armed  with 
guns,  sabres,  pistols,  etc.  and  headed  by  the  person 
in  his  livery  who  is  called  Capitano  della  Piazza  di 
Spagna.  They  fired  on  the  above  mob  and  then  fell 
on  them,  with  the  utmost  inhumanity,  with  their  other 
weapons.  Some  were  killed  and  many  wounded,  and 
had  not  the  gates  of  the  Palazzo  Medici  been  opened 
to  receive  the  mob,  much  more  mischief  would  have 
been  done. 

‘ Cardinal  Albani  and  Franchini  immediately  made 
complaints  to  the  Pope,  but  at  the  departure  of  an  Ex 
press  they  sent  with  this  notice,  no  answer  had  been 
returned.  Those  in  Aquaviva’s  party  commend  him 
and  say  he  did  well  by  doing  what  the  Government  of 
Rome  ought  to  have  done,  since  any  one  should  be  so 
insolent  as  to  rejoice  for  an  Emperor  the  Pope  had  not 
acknowledged  ! In  short,  little  satisfaction  is  to  be 
expected  from  the  Imbecility  of  the  Pope,  guided  by 
Cardinal  Yalenti  (who  is  as  much  a Spaniard  as 
Aquaviva)  and  totally  directed  by  him.  I am  sur- 
prized however  that  the  Pope  is  not  afraid  of  the 
consequences  of  such  tumults,  for  was  Cardinal  Albani 


1745. 


ABUSE  OF  THE  POPE. 


225 


to  encourage  the  Transteverini  and  the  mob  of  Rome, 
which  is  all  Austrian,  Rome  would  be  in  a flame. 
Aquaviva’s  guard  permits  nobody  to  go  over  the  Place 
d’Espagne  (which  he  calls  his  jurisdiction)  with  green 
cockades.  They  tear  them  from  them,  and  abuse 
them  ; and  our  friends  acquainted  me  some  time  ago 
that  they  and  their  servants  wear  them. 

‘ Cardinal  Albani  was  waiting  to  see  what  satisfac- 
tion the  Court  of  Rome  would  give,  and  then,  designed 
to  despatch  a Courier  to  Vienna.  Poor  Fran  chi  ni  is 
daily  exposed  to  insults  by  his  neighbourhood  to 
Aquaviva  who  governs  all  there  with  the  greatest  in- 
solence. The  Pope  is  a beast  and  a coglione  of  whom 
everybody  complains.  If  I was  the  Emperor,  I would 
threaten  him,  if  he  won’t  govern  better,  to  apply  to 
the  Colledge  of  Cardinals,  this  would  mortify  him 
strangely.  Whilst  these  things  are  going  forward,  he 
amuses  himself  with  making  Saints,  and  a little  while 
ago  held  a publick  dispute  with  a Colonna,  a boy  of 
19  ; the  Pope  himself  harangued  in  the  presence  of  a 
vast  audience.  What  can  be  expected  from  him  V 

Aquaviva  was  soon  in  a condition  which  Mann 
bore  with  cheerful  resignation.  On  the  19tli  October 
he  writes  : ‘ The  villain  is  in  a fair  way  of  going,  as 
the  common  people  at  Rome  say,  a Casa  del  Diavolo  ! 
He  is  vastly  ill  with  a paralytick  dangerous  disorder, 
which  has  already  cost  him  one  of  his  eyes,  and  the 
other  is  in  danger.  His  surgeon  says  it  is  all  over 
with  him.  I wish  indeed  it  may  happen  soon.  Some 
of  his  own  fools  would  be  persuaded  it  was  a judge- 
ment from  Heaven  for  the  murders  he  lately  ordered 
to  be  committed.’ 

VOL.  I.  Q 


/ 


226 


COUPLING. 


1745. 


‘ . . . The  Teresina  is  a Sposa  to  young  Count 
Peccori,  the  very  man  for  whom  the  Pepi  would  have 
killed  the  Parigi.  It  is  a good  match,  and  they  all 
thank  Heaven  for  so  much  good  luck  at  a time  she 
was  in  danger  of  getting  nobody.  The  Vittorina  is  to 
be  wedded  next  Monday  to  Carducci  at  their  villa, 
with  all  privacy.’ 

The  Vittorina  was  married  on  the  following  Wed- 
nesday, and  began  keeping  house  with  her  husband 
the  day  after.  ‘ I am  afraid,’  writes  Mann  (9th  Nov.), 
‘ they  will  soon  be  unhappy,  they  are  so  poor,  and  she 
is  so  lively,  and  he  will  be  so  jealous.  The  Teresina’s 
match  goes  on  with  Count  Peccori.  He  is  a fool  but 
good  natured,  and  in  very  good  circumstances.  They 
will  certainly  be  very  happy,  and  have  the  prettiest 
children  in  the  world. 

‘ I carried  Mme.  Antinori  last  week  to  ( illegible ) 
to  dine  with  the  Princess,  who  was  vastly  gracious  ; 
but  she  is  still  fond  of  a shape,  for  which  she  laces 
so  tight,  that  she  is  always  sick.  The  Duke  and 
Duchess  Salviati  dined  there.  Her  Grace  of  Salviati 
is  infinitely  devote  and  has  a great  deal  of  humour.’ 

November  20th. — Under  this  date,  Mann  refers  to 
the  recent  death  of  Lady  Granville  (formerly  Carteret, 
daughter  of  the  Earl  and  Countess  of  Pomfret).  ‘ I 
don’t  write  to  my  Lady  on  this  melancholy  occasion,’ 
he  says,  ‘ I did  on  her  daughter’s  marriage  with 
Carteret  but  she  never  took  any  notice  of  it.  She  had 
a little  before  been  offended  at  my  lending  Mr.  Fermor, 
her  son,  money  to  buy  absolute  necessaries  on  his 
being  appointed  Captain  of  a ship,  and  without  which 
he  would  have  been  obliged  to  eat  with  the  sailors,  for 


1745. 


SEA-BEARS. 


227 


want  of  a plate  to  eat  off,  or  of  a napkin.  I incon- 
venienced myself  by  lending  him  that  money  and 
incurred  his  Lady  mother’s  displeasure  for  my  pains, 
and  my  Brother  was  used  uncivilly,  though  she  after- 
wards sent  to  ask  his  pardon.’ 

December  7 th. — ....  Mann  gives  another 
illustration  of  the  character  of  our  naval  captains 
at  this  period.  c If  Mr.  Townshend,’  he  says,  ‘was 
not  your  cousin,  I would  tell  you  that  he  is  not 
at  all  better  than  many  of  the  bears  I have  had  to 
deal  with.  I declare  to  you,  I wonder  how  any  of  our 
affairs  succeed  in  the  hands  of  such  unexperienced 
things.  How  could  my  Lord  Townshend  let  the  educa- 
tion of  any  son  of  his  be  neglected  so  ? You  cannot 
conceive  the  pains  I have  taken  with  him  ; nobody 
can  unless  they  were  to  see  the  letters  I have  daily 
wrote  to  him,  and  he  is  not,  I dare  say,  sensible  of  it 
by  them.’ 


/ 


228 


THE  JACOBITE  INVASION. 


1740. 


CHAPTER  X. 

1746. 

The  year  1746  opened  upon  Mann  and  the  English 
Colony  at  Florence  with  troubled  and  uncertain  light. 
On  January  4th  he  writes  : — c We  are  ignorant  what 
the  Rebels  in  Scotland  are  doing.  None  but  French 
and  Spanish  Couriers  pass,  and  they  turn  one’s  brains. 
By  the  letters  of  the  former,  the  Rebels  have  beat 
Wade  and  marched  to  London.  Then  Wade  is  in  dis- 
grace and  mistrusted ; in  short,  there  is  no  kind  of 
absurdity  that  they  do  not  invent  and  publish  ; and 
all  is  credited.  I am  very  sorry  for  the  affair  at 
Carlisle  which  has  furnished  them  with  a large 
quantity  of  arms,  but  I trust  they  will  be  taken  from 
them  with  their  lives.  On  the  whole,  however,  it 
seems  strange  that  a body  of  rabble  of  9,  10,  or  ^ 
men  should  be  permitted  to  insult  the  whole  King- 
dom, by  the  slowness  used  on  our  side  to  disperse 
them.  We  gave  them  all  possible  advantage  and  a 
chance  of  receiving  succours  from  abroad.  Some  of 
our  travellers  have  so  good  an  opinion  of  their  success, 
that  they  are  gone  to  Rome,  to  pay  homage  among 
the  first.  Bouverie  does  not  act  publickly  as  to  the 
Pretender,  but  has  all  his  people  constantly  to  dine 


1746. 


ENGLISH  JACOBITES  IN  ROME. 


229 


with  him.  His  three  companions,  Holt,  Phelps,  and 
Munroe  the  mad  doctor’s  son  went  last  fry  day  to  the 
Portico  of  the  StJ  Apostoli,  to  wait  for  the  Pretender’s 
coming  out,  to  compliment  him  upon  his  Son’s  birth- 
day, and  went  afterwards  to  dine  at  his  house, — it  is 
said,  with  him,  but  I suppose  with  his  people.  Mr.  St. 
John  is  outrageous  and  rebelliously  mad.  He  curses 
the  King  in  all  companies  and  he  wrote  me  a strange 
treasonable  letter : he  is  quite  mad  and  so  not  worth 
any  notice.’ 

January  18  th. — ‘All  I can  say  to  you  is  that  we 
have  four  posts  wanting  from  England.  You  will 
easily  imagine  the  cruel  situation  I am  in,  since  our 
Enemies  take  advantage  of  this  accident  to  publish 
the  most  violent  accounts  of  the  Rebels  who,  according 
to  them,  are  masters  of  London.  I do  not  believe  one 
word  they  say ; but  still,  I wish  to  be  assured  from 
you,  my  dear  child,  that  they  are  liars  . . . 

‘ . I was  most  agreeably  surprized  last  fryday 
by  the  arrival  of  the  Chutes  from  Rome,  which  place 
they  could  bear  no  longer.  None  but  villains  are  well 
received  there.  Had  it  not  been  for  good  Cardinal 
Albani  they  must  have  decamped  long  ago  ; but  he 
supported  them,  and  they  their  spirits,  till  the  last 
when,  to  shew  their  contempt  for  those  that  had  used 
them  ill,  though  they  had  been  civil  at  first,  they 
came  away  without  taking  leave.  They  have  left 
Bouverie,  Phelps,  Holt,  and  Munroe  in  high  favour, 
because  they  pay  their  court  publickly  to  mock- 
Majesty,  with  whom  they  have  dined.  The  first  was 
a worthy  disciple  of  Holdsworth ; the  second  is  a 
Fellow  at  Oxford,  and  flaming.  He  has  nothing  to 


230 


JACOBITE  BE  POETS. 


1746. 


lose,  but  travels  at  Bouverie’s  expense ; but,  because 
he  is  of  the  right  idea,  is  thought  a great  Cavalier. 
Holt  is  of  Suffolk  and  has,  they  say,  a good  Estate. 
Munroe  is  the  mad  Physician’s  son  and  is  himself  a 
travelling  Physician.  They  are  all  persuaded  things 
will  go  as  they  wish ; for,  as  I told  you,  they  publickly 
frequent  the  Pretender  and  his  people.  Surely,  the 
Government  will  take  notice  at  last  of  this  be- 
haviour. 

‘ The  Chutes  keep  up  my  spirits  and  we  endeavour 
to  convince  each  other  that  things  cannot  be  as  they 
tell  us  ; but  even  here  we  have  so  many  Enemies  ! 
and  many  good  Catholick  friends  are  taught  by  their 
Confessors  to  wish  against  us.  The  poor  Prince  and 
Princess  are  so  strangely  out  when  I go  there  that 
they  don’t  know  how  to  talk  to  me  about  it.  They 
are  so  embarassed  to  name  the  names  different  to  what 
they  have  talked  of  them  all  day  before  ; for  they 
believe  all  the  dirty  stuff  that  comes  from  Paris  more 
than  anything  I can  say  to  them.’ 

January  25th. — ‘Your  two  letters  of  Nov.  29th 
and  9th  of  Dec.  which  both  came  together  have 
raised  our  drooping  spirits  extremely.  The  Chutes 
and  I had  almost  been  quite  cast  down  by  the  villain- 
ous reports  the  day  before  of  a Courier  who  had 
passed  by  for  Rome.  The  Rascal  gave  out  that  every- 
thing went  on  victoriously  for  the  Rebels ; in  short 
that  they  were  masters  of  almost  all  England  ; that 
thousands  had  rose  in  their  favour,  and  that  the  King 
was  retired  from  London.  Judge  you  how  it  is 
possible  to  exist  when  such  stories  were  spread  and 
believed  by  most.  I don’t  tell  you  we  believed  him, 


1746. 


JACOBITES  IN  FLORENCE. 


231 


but  we  dreaded  that  some  accident  had  happened, 
that  the  Rebels  had  escaped  the  Dukes  army,  and 
that  some  risings  might  have  been  in  their  favour. 
Part  or  all  of  this  we  dreaded,  when  your  dear  letters 
came,  and  as  we  had  been  expecting  the  post  for  a 
long  time,  my  house  was  crowded  that  morning  ; some 
in  hopes  of  hearing  good,  and  others  bad  news,  (fur 
friends  were  fully  satisfied  and  the  Orsi  ’ (faction  in 
favour  of  Spanish  interests)  ‘ and  the  Jacobites  would 
not  be  discomfited  “ because  I am  a Minister  and 
obliged  to  tell  lies  to  serve  my  Court.”  The  most 
sensible,  however,  knowing  that  such  is  not  my 
custom,  began  to  tremble.  Cospetto  ! se  lo  dice  Mr. 
Mann,  bisogna  che  sia  cosi  perche  1’  e troppo  honesto  e 
non  dice  bugie.  Povero  Principino  ! ’ 

February  \bth. — ‘The  contents  of  your  letter  of 
January  3rd,  which  arrived  yesterday,  were  so  charm- 
ing, as  well  as  the  Gazette  which  accompanied  it,  that 
by  the  advice  of  many,  and  to  be  revenged  of  the  vile 
Gazetteers  of  Bologna,  etc.,  I have  translated  the 
Taking  of  Carlisle  into  Italian  and  dated  my  Gazette 
from  Bologna,  with  this  introduction ; “ Essendoci 
pervenute  da  mano  sicura  le  sequente  notizie,  si  crede 
far  cosa  grata  al  Publico  con  renclerle  palesa  ; ” and 
so  many  of  them  are  to  go  slyly  to  Rome  where,  no 
doubt,  they  will  be  surprised  to  see  my  paper  dated 
from  Bologna  with  any  other  title  for  the  King  than 
that  of  Elector  of  Hanover ; for  the  Pretender’s  son, 
that  of  Real  Principe  di  Galles.  Indeed,  I have  not 
had  any  occasion  to  name  him,  but  I speak  of  the 
Rebels  in  general.  The  Italians  say  already,  “Povero 
Principino!  e che  le  Inglesacci have  betrayed  him.” 


232 


CONFLICTING  INTELLIGENCE. 


1746. 


Still,  my  dear,  the  Pretender  does  not  show  that 
concern  which  would  he  natural  were  his  son  in  so 
much  danger.  I hope  the  Duke  will  go  into  Scotland 
and  finish  what  he  has  so  well  begun.  The  soldiers 
will  certainly  like  nobody  so  well,  to  conduct  them.’ 
March  15th. — ‘How  is  it  possible  not  to  be  con- 
tinually uneasy  ? We  always  receive  the  first  accounts 
from  France,  which  are  echoed  to  us  from  Pome,  with 
all  the  additions  the  J acobites  please  to  add ; and  all 
this  is  credited  by  every  body,  and  crammed  upon  us 
till  we  receive  letters  from  England ; but  in  the  interval, 
it  is  impossible  to  have  courage  enough  to  be  quite 
tranquil.  Hawley’s  affair,  for  example,  frightened  us 
out  of  our  senses.  The  French  accounts  magnified  it 
a hundred-fold,  and  they  said  positively  the  King  of 
France  had  given  a Mr.  Brown  the  Cross  of  St.  Louis, 
for  bringing  him  such  great  news.  In  this  belief  I 
remained  for  above  a week,  and  received  many  letters 
of  condolence,  which  confirmed  my  alarm.  Cardinal 
Albani  was  as  much  frighteued,  for  Dunbar  harangued 
the  Patroni’s  Assembly  with  all  the  particulars  and 
advantages  he  wished,  and  our  English  Jacobite 
travellers  mad q junkets,  and  got  drunk  with  rejoicing 
with  the  Pretender’s  servants  for  that  success.  We 
were  cast  down  till  your  dear  letter  of  the  28th 
January  revived  us  by  showing  the  affair  was  not 
of  much  consequence,  if  the  not  having  extinguished 
the  Rebellion  may  be  allowed  to  be  so,  when  the 
opportunity  was  so  fair.  But  we  are  really  now  in 
spirits,  believing  that  the  terror  the  Duke  has  struck 
into  those  villains  will  put  an  end  to  it.  ...  A 
Courier  passed  by  yesterday  from  France  to  Rome, 


1746. 


AT  SEA. 


233 


who,  as  we  suppose,  carried  news  to  the  Pretender  that 
will  quite  disconcert  him  ; but  we  cannot  hear  the 
effect  till  next  week.’ 

April  2Qth. — ‘ How  terrible  it  is  we  cannot  put 
the  Rebellion  out ! The  Jacobites  are  in  high  spirits 
and  boast  of  their  conquests.  Inverness  is  represented 
to  be  of  as  much  importance  a.s  Edinburgh  Castle  ! ’ 
Mann  found  some  consolation  for  the  Jacobite  boast- 
ing, in  certain  little  successes  which  he  had  brought 
about  in  the  Mediterranean,  by  advice  and  orders 
which  he  was  authorized  to  give  to  our  naval  com- 
manders. Mr.  Townshend  received  instructions  from 
home  to  conquer  Corsica,  then  in  possession  of 
the  Genoese ; Mann  advised  him  not  to  attempt  a 
perfectly  hopeless  undertaking,  but  to  harass  the 
Genoese  at  sea.  Townshend  followed  the  Minister’s 
counsel.  £ I must  not  omit  to  tell  you  of  my  success 
while  I commanded.  Lord  Colvil,  whom  I sent  to  the 
coasts  of  Genoa,  took  a french  ship  and  destroyed 
eight  barks  with  provisions,  five  of  which  had  the 
Pope’s  colours  ; the  other  three,  Genoese.  I expect 
to  be  doubly  excommunicated,  and  then  poisoned  by 
the  Genoese.’ 

May  2ith. — ‘ I am  much  obliged  by  your  good 
news,  which  makes  me  hope  that  by  this  time,  the 
Rebellion  is  quite  at  an  end.  The  Jacobites  won’t 
believe  it,  but  still  talk  of  their  advantages.  A 
Courier  passed  by  from  france  to  Rome  a few  days  ago, 
and  though  I don’t  hear  he  said  anything,  yet  pre- 
sently it  was  reported  that  he  carried  to  the  Pretender, 
the  news  of  his  Son’s  victory  over  the  Duke,  who 
was  retired  with  difficulty  to  the  mountains,  having 


234 


ROME  AND  FLORENCE. 


1746. 


lost  his  whole  army  ! Can  anything  be  so  absurd  ? 
I promise  you  never  to  be  alarmed  by  their  accounts 
again.’ 

On  the  31st  of  May  Mann  is  finally  at  ease. 

£ Your  Victory,’  he  says,  ‘ was  most  welcome,  and  gave 
me  great  joy.  I was  on  the  point  of  relapsing  into 
my  fears.  The  french  and  jacobites  tell  lies  so  con- 
fidently and  stick  to  them  so  strongly  that  they 
stagger  me.  I told  you  a Courier  passed  by  this 
place  lately  from  france  to  Rome.  Immediately,  all 
Italy  was  imposed  upon  by  the  false  accounts  from 
that  centre  of  falsehood.  All  the  french  letters, 
nay,  those  to  poor  Prince  Craon,  confirmed  a violent 
victory  of  the  Rebels,  and  such  an  encrease  of  then- 
force  as  was  able  to  do  every  thing.  Do  but  see  by  the 
enclosed  scrap  of  a Gazette,  a specimen  of  their  im- 
pudence. At  Rome  all  was  joy  and  insolence,  and  the 
Pretender’s  people  caused  an  account  to  be  printed, 
which  my  friends  did  not  send  me,  thinking  it  was 
unnecessary  after  the  news  of  our  real  victory,  which 
they  received  sooner  than  I did.  Pucci  was  the  first 
to  announce  it  here.  I was  at  Prince  Craon’s  when 
the  letter  came  last  Wednesday,  the  29  th,  and  I have 
received  yours  only  to-day,  the  31st.  This  is  owing 
to  the  bad  method  the  office  is  in  by  sending  the 
packets  to  a man  at  Leyden,  by  which  means  they 
are  retarded.  I have  been  ordered  to  send  mine  the 
same  way,  which  consequently  retards  mine  too. 

‘Well  ! the  Duke  is  a glorious  little  hero.  I am 
glad  the  nation  is  obliged  to  him  for  such  noble 
exploits.  I hope,  before  he  leaves  Scotland,  that 
he  will  extirpate  even  the  seeds  of  Rebellion,  though 
the  task  I fear  is  too  hard  even  for  him.’ 


1746.  PRETENDED  JACOBITE  VICTORY. 


235 


The  scrap  from  the  Bologna  Gazette,  sent  by 
Mann  to  Walpole  is  (in  English)  to  this  effect: — - 
‘ Versailles,  6th  May.  On  the  30th  of  April,  an  officer 
arrived  here,  who  had  been  despatched  to  the  King  by 
the  Prince  Stuart,  with  the  news  that  the  Duke  of 
Perth,  having  under  his  command  Signor  Stappleton, 
Marechal  de  Camp  in  the  French  service,  had  passed 
over  an  arm  of  the  sea,  in  front  of  the  position  held 
by  the  Earl  of  Loudon,  with  about  2000  men  divided 
into  three  bodies.  This  Duke  animated,  by  his  own 
example,  his  soldiers  to  make  this  passage  with  the 
water  up  to  their  waists,  as  their  boats  could  not 
reach  the  landing  place.  ...  As  soon  as  they  set 
feet  on  the  shore,  he  attacked  and  dispersed  two 
of  the  above-mentioned  corps  under  the  Earl  of 
Loudon ; whereupon,  the  third,  seeing  the  defeat 
of  the  other  two,  flung  their  arms  on  the  ground, 
and  shouting  “ Prince  Stuart  for  ever ! ” put  them- 
selves under  the  banner  of  the  Duke  of  Perth  ; who 
had  witnessed  the  defeat  or  surrender  of  the  whole 
force  commanded  by  the  Earl  of  Loudon,  wanting- 
only  the  Earl  himself  and  two  or  three  other  fugitives, 
to  make  the  Duke’s  victory  complete.  The  army  of 
Prince  Stuart,  in  consequence  of  this  advantage,  found 
itself  increased  by  fifteen  hundred  soldiers,  so  many 
prisoners  having  joined  his  party.  The  Irish  officer 
who  was  selected  to  carry  this  news  was  accompanied 
by  four  officers,  prisoners  of  war.  The  assailants 
who  had  attempted  to  attack  a post  of  the  royal 
Scottish  army  were  repulsed  with  very  great  loss ; 
and  at  the  same  time,  a Captain  of  a royal  Scottish 
regiment,  at  the  head  of  an  ambuscade,  attacked  the 


236 


JACOBITE  HISTORY. 


1746. 


vanguard  of  the  English  army  and  succeeded  in 
capturing  200  soldiers,  all  mounted.  The  Swiss 
officers  who  had  desired  to  enter  the  French  service 
had  disembarked  and  been  incorporated  with  the 
Stuart  army,  which  now  numbers  20,000  fighting 
men.  One  of  their  detachments  contrived  to  get 
possession  of  4 English  merchant  ships,  driven 
a-shore  by  the  waves ; after  these  vessels  had  been 
entirely  stript  of  their  rich  cargoes,  preparation  was 
made  to  set  them  on  fire,  so  as  to  prevent  their 
re -capture  by  the  English.’ 

With  such  fictitious  details  Italy  and  France  were 
amused.  The  audacity  with  which  a certain  Car- 
dinal writes  contemporary  history  does  not  exceed 
that  of  the  partizan  historians  of  the  last  century. 
Even  after  the  struggle  was  all  but  closed  for  ever, 
Rome  invented  and  Florence  repeated  the  most  lying 
legends.  ‘The  Jacobites  and  French,’  says  Mann, 
(June  14th),  ‘ are  still  such  fools  as  to  think  to  frighten 
us  with  their  accounts  of  a victory  on  their  side,  since 
that  of  Culloden,  and  that  the  Duke  was  wounded. 
Nobody  believes  them,  but  still  the  French  persist  in 
them  lies.  ...  Is  the  young  Italian  ’ (Charles  Edward) 
‘ taken  ? or  will  he  be  able  to  collect  his  scattered 
forces  ? Prince  Craon  asked  me  t’other  day  what  they 
could  do  with  the  young  Pretender,  in  case  of  his 
being  taken  ? “ He  would  be  beheaded  ! ” — “ Fie  ! 

fie!  a King’s  Grandson!” — “Well,  Prince,  it  is  just 
that  fact  that  would  cause  his  destruction.” — You 
know,  the  Craons  affect  to  be  related  to  them  by  the 
means  of  Prince  Beauvau’s  wife.’ 

In  return  for  the  news  of  the  victory  at  Culloden, 


1746. 


THE  HIGHER  POWERS. 


237 


Mann,  on  the  21st  of  June,  sent  notice  of  that  gained 
on  the  17th  by  the  Austrians  and  Sardinians,  near 
Placentia,  under  Prince  Lichtenstein,  over  the  French 
and  Spanish  armies,  commanded  by  Don  Philip. 
This  saved  the  Italian  possessions  of  the  Empress 
Queen,  Maria  Theresa  ; or,  as  Prince  Lichtenstein  put 
it : — ‘ It  pleased  His  divine  Majesty  to  give  Her 
Imperial  Majesty  a compleat  victory.’  Mann  thought 
that  divine  Majesty  was  tardy  in  manifesting  equally 
satisfactory  pleasure  in  another  direction.  ‘ Why 
should  the  boy  escape  ? ’ he  asks,  of  the  errant  Stuart. 

‘ It  has  been  reported  at  Rome  that  he  was  dead  ; 
and  his  father  accidently  hearing  of  it,  fainted  away 
for  half  an  hour,  to  the  great  alarm  of  his  courtiers 
who  had  little  to  say  to  comfort  him,  but  they  sent 
for  the  French  Ambassador  and  (; illegible ) who  have 
assured  him  that  the  Brest  squadron  will  debark  such 
a number  of  troops  as  will  remedy  the  little  ecliec  they 
have  suffered,  et  retablira  ses  affaires,  and  his  son  in 
his  kingdom.’ 

c Tout  peut  se  retablir  ! ’ is  less  a sentiment  of  hope 
than  a cry  of  despair.  While  Mann  was  announcing 
the  victory  of  the  Austro- Sardians  near  Placentia, 
the  defeated  Franco-Spanish  were  not  only  denying 
the  fact  but  singing  a Te  Deum  ! ‘ I suppose,’  says 

Mann,  ‘ because  their  army  was  not  totally  ruined.’ 

Under  the  same  date,  Mann  who  complained  that 
his  official  despatches  had  become  each  a volume  in- 
stead of  a letter,  that  he  was  kept  writing  through  the 
night,  that  his  industry  was  not  slackened  by  the  cir- 
cumstances of  his  salary  being  five  years  in  arrear,  and 
that  after  all,  his  post  day  for  writing  was  never  com- 


238 


THE  WANDERING  STUART. 


1746. 


plete  without  a letter  to  Walpole, — makes  record: 
— ‘that  the  Lightening  Bomb  was  overset  yesterday 
near  the  Gorgona  and  was  sunk  immediately.  The 
Captain,  Martin,  and  some  of  his  officers  were  saved 
by  swimming,  with  23  men  only.  Two  of  them  sup- 
ported the  Captain,  who  could  not  swim  at  all,  till  he 
was  taken  up  by  the  other  ships’  boats ; by  this  un- 
fortunate accident  45  men  were  drowned.  I am  ex- 
tremely sorry  for  it,  but  could  not  help  laughing  soon 
after  at  a letter  your  cousin  ’ (Townshend)  ‘ has  sent  in 
for  Prince  Lichtenstein  to  wish  him  joy  of  his  noble 
feats.  On  the  tip-top  of  the  page  is  “ My  Lord,”  and 
then  quite  at  the  bottom,  “ I beg  leave  to  acquaint 
your  Highness  that  I have  heard  of  your  victory,  from 
H.  Mann,  Esqr.”  all  in  English.  Pray  don’t  mention 
this  ; (I  disapprove  of  his  language,  stile,  and  spel- 
ing)  but  he  would  hear  of  it,  by  some  means  or 
other.’ 

Florence  was  still  in  doubt  as  to  the  whereabouts 
of  Charles  Edward.  ‘ The  letters  from  France,’  says 
Mann,  who  disapproved  of  Townshend’s  spelling,  ‘possi- 
tively  say  the  Pretender’s  son  has  escaped  into  France. 
Still,  many  will  not  believe,’  adds  Mann  (who  was  not 
pleased  with  ‘ the  Commander’s  stile  ’),  ‘ that  he  was 
there  in  original,  and  applaud  his  substitute  Perkin  for 
saving  his  principal’s  character.  Two  ships  arrived 
some  time  ago,  at  Nantes,  with  several  of  his  depend- 
ants on  board,  many  in  number.  The  Duke  of  Perth 
and  his  son  are  mentioned,  but  the  first  is  said  to  have 
died  in  his  passage.  The  account  says  they  were 
attacked  by  three  of  our  frigates  and  lost  30  of  their 
men,  but  escaped.  Monsr  Jean  Drummond  is 


1746. 


UNCERTAINTY. 


239 


likewise  named,  “ et  autres  officiers  ; ” and  nobody 
douts  ’ (writes  Mann)  ‘ that  the  Pretender’s  son  is 
there,  though  they  won’t  own  it.  They  all  debarked 
the  7 th  inst.  The  french  ships  are  called  the  Mars 
and  the  Bellona.  It  is  monstrous  our  three  ships 
should  let  two  escape,  but  perhaps  some  folks  may  be 
as  well  pleased.’ 

All  Italy  was  eager  to  know  what  had  become  of 
the  ‘ boy.’  ‘ It  is  strange  methinks,’  (9th  of  August) 
‘ that  we  can  have  no  certainty  about  the  existence  of 
the  Young  Pretender.  We  have  had  reports  of  his 
having  been  taken,  killed,  and  sunk  in  a french  ship 
on  the  Coast  of  Scotland,  as  he  attempted  to  get  off. 
Others  say,  he  is  hidden  in  some  of  the  Islands,  and 
that  he  cannot  escape,  while  others  believe  him  very 
safe  in  France.  . . . The  father  is  certainly  unhappy ; 
but  not  so  much  as  to  indicate  that  he  thinks  him 
in  danger  of  his  life.  ’ 

August  dOth. — ‘I  expect  to  hear  by  your  next 
letter  that  the  Rebel  Lords  have  been  executed.  I 
want  to  write  that  news  to  Rome,  and  would  add  that 
of  the  Son’s  being  taken.  ’Tis  wondrous  strange  there 
is  no  news  of  him.’ 

When  Walpole  described  the  trial  of  the  Jacobite 
Lords  and  the  verdict  to  Mann,  the  natural  good 
feeling  of  the  latter  returned.  Irritated  as  he  was  by 
the  Jacobites  around  him,  he  wrote : £ If  the  king 
shews  mercy,  I shall  be  glad,  so  that  he  deprives 
them  of  the  power  of  even  making  an  ill  use  of  it.’ 
When  Walpole’s  account  of  the  execution  of  Lords 
Kilmarnock  and  Balmerino  arrived,  Mann  (September 
27th)  pronounced  that  of  the  first  Lord  to  be 


240 


JACOBITE  HOPES. 


1740. 


‘certainly  very  decent;’  Balmerino’s  ‘much  overdone.’ 
‘The  executions,’  he  said,  ‘seem  to  make  no  impression 
at  Borne.  They  are  as  insolent  as  ever  and  say  that 
the  hoy  is  still  in  Scotland,  on  a full  assurance  that 
France  is  determined  to  put  him  in  a situation  to 
punish  effectually  his  father’s  rebel  subjects,  for  which 
purpose,  Sweden  and  the  King  of  Prussia  would 
lend  all  their  assistance.  Dunbar  talks  this  nonsense 
daily.  The  letters  from  france  say  that  the  boy  is 
absolutely  arrived  at  Ostend,  but  in  a miserable 
situation  as  to  his  health.  Cardinal  Albani  has  in- 
formed me  that  the  valet  de  chambre  of  the  young 
Pretender  had  arrived  in  Borne  but  had  departed 
instantly  for  Albano,  so  that  time  had  not  permitted 
him  to  learn  anything  about  him.’ 

The  death  of  Philip  V.  of  Spain  crushed  all  the 
influence  of  his  terrible  consort,  Elizabeth  Farnese, 
and  the  new  King  Ferdinand  VI.,  guided  by  his  wife, 
Barbara  of  Portugal,  abandoned  the  old  Spanish 
policy.  The  new  course  led  to  the  cruel  desertion,  on 
the  part  of  France  and  Spain,  of  their  late  allies, 
the  Genoese,  and  to  the  further  consequence  of  the 
capture  of  Genoa  by  the  Austrians.  Their  cruelty 
and  rapacity  were  without  bounds  ; but  a full  account 
is  to  be  read  in  Coxe’s  ‘ House  of  Austria.’  Mann 
refers  to  one  of  the  articles  of  the  treaty  of  submission 
by  which  the  Doge  and  two  (Coxe  says  ‘ six  ’)  senators 
were  compelled  to  repair  to  Vienna,  to  implore  the 
clemency  of  the  Empress  Queen,  and  he  compares  this 
humiliation  with  that  inflicted  by  Louis  XIV.,  ‘on 
which  occasion  two  medals  were  struck,  one  repre- 
senting the  bombarding  of  Genoa,  with  the  legend 


1746. 


CARDINAL  AQUAVIVA. 


241 


“ Vibrata  in  superbos  fulmina  ! ” and  at  the  bottom 
“ Genoa  Emendata  ! ” The  other  on  the  submission  at 
Versailles,  with  “Genoa  Obsequens  ! ” It  is  remark- 
able that  the  Doge  of  that  time,  as  well  as  now,  was 
of  the  Brignoli  family.’ 

On  the  22nd  of  November,  Mann  announces  the 
apparently  imminent  death  of  the  chief  enemy  of 
England,  in  Borne,  Cardinal  Aquaviva,  whom  Mr. 
Chute  thinks  ‘ the  great,  nay  the  only,  cause  of  the 
insolences  that  are  committed  at  Borne.’  Mr.  Chute 
‘ will  be  horridly  provoked  if  Aquaviva  recovers  from 
the  Articulo  Mortis  in  which  the  Pope  gave  him  his 
blessing  on  the  18th.  I really  believe  the  Pope  him- 
self was  glad  to  perform  that  function,  as  he  was 
always  in  the  greatest  awe  of  him  ; and,  they  say, 
would  be  an  Austrian  if  he  dared.  Valenti  still 
sticks  by  him,  however,  and  is  as  much  a Spaniard 
as  Aquaviva  was.  Mr.  Chute  will  tell  you  stories  of 
them  both  as  will  amaze  you.’ 

On  December  13th,  there  is  this  further  in- 
telligence of  the  Cardinal,— the  enemy  alike  of  Maria 
Theresa  and  of  King  George — ‘Mr.  Chute  will  be  sorry 
to  hear  that  Aquaviva  is  recovering.  Pray  tell  him 

that  B sent  to  ask  my  pardon  for  having  assured 

me  he  must  die.  Everybody  and  he  himself  thought 
so,  otherwise  he  would  never  have  confessed  his  villa- 
nies  in  publick.  The  Pope  who,  I am  sure,  was  glad 
of  it,  said  the  next  day  to  a Monsignore  who  had  been 
present  : “ Eh,  Monsignore,  si  fece  un  bel  piangere 
jieri ! ” At  which  the  whole  room  burst  out  in 
laughter.’ 

Borne,  at  this  time,  was  still  weighing  the  pos- 


VOL.  I. 


R 


242 


THE  YOUNG  PRETENDER. 


1746. 


sibility  of  dethroning  King  George.  ‘ The  sly  folks 
there  pretend,’  says  Mann,  £ to  have  discovered  that 
something  is  possitively  in  agitation  again  for  the 
young  Pretender,  which  is  to  be  executed  this  winter, 
and  that  Spain  has  strongly  engaged  in  it.  I don’t 
see  how  it  can  be,  but  I own  to  you  the  very  notion 
of  it  alarms  me  much.  Cardinal  Albani  says  posi- 
tively that  the  Pretender’s  eldest  Son  is  to  be  married 
to  a second  daughter  of  Modena,  to  whom  the  Duke  is 
to  give  the  Dutchy  of  Novellara  for  a portion.’ 

The  first  of  the  personal  traits  of  this  year  refers 
to  Lady  Walpole,  Countess  Or  ford  : — 

April  19 th. — ‘I  intend  to  scold  you  for  sending  us 
back  the  Countess  so  rich  and  so  saucy  that  there  will 
be  no  living  in  the  same  town.  Her  Richmond  (her 
maid)  has  had  Richecourt’s  advice  to  quit  the  house  she 
lives  in,  and  which  the  laws  of  the  country  might  have 
obliged  her  to  do,  long  ago,  but  they  were  so  com- 
plaisant as  not  to  exert  their  power.  ...  I remember 
well  that  Knight  of  the  United  families,  as  he  called 
himself,  the  Bouchiers  and  the  Wreys.  Pie  lived  with 
his  cousin  Countess  nata  Rolles,  here  in  Florence,  and 
was  too  wise  and  solemn  for  anybody  there.  I can 
easily  judge  what  he  must  be  in  the  act  of  making  his 
own  terms.  I wish  they  would  make  the  little  Abbe 
Secretary  marry  the  chambermaid.  She  would  pass 
for  a Dama  Inglese,  under  my  Lady's  tuition  here, 
and  be  admitted  to  the  learned  conversation.’ 

May  24 th. — ‘ I am  in  the  most  disagreeable  situa- 
tion imaginable  ; in  the  midst  of  preparations  for  the 
Chutes’  departure.  They  set  out  the  day  after  to- 
morrow. TRey  were  to  have  gone  last  Thursday,  but 


17  ±6. 


AN  ENGLISH  GENTLEMAN. 


243 


we  walked  too  late  together  in  the  Garden.  He 
caught  the  gout  again,  and  I a fever,  with  which 
I was  very  bad  all  last  week.  Well ! it  signifies 
nothing  to  whine  ; we  must  part.  I shall  never  find 
anybody  again  that  is  so  comfortable  in  all  my 
requirements.’ 

Then  follows  a notice  of  the  travelling  English  in 
general,  and  of  a fashionable  sample,  in  particular  : — 

‘Your  recommende  Mr.  Hobart  is  come  at  last, 
and  is  so  unlike  all  the  English,  that  I adore  him. 
His  regard  and  esteem  for  you  is  motive  enough ; but 
besides,  he  is  extremely  well  bred,  introduces  himself 
vastly  well  tc  all  your  acquaintances,  and  is  by  them 
as  well  received.  He  is  the  only  Englishman  that,  for 
a long  time,  has  thought  it  necessary  to  speak  to  a 
Dama.  They  go  about  with  their  jemmy  frocks  and 
frightful  staring  hats,  and  exhibit  themselves  for 
brutes  everywhere.  Whilst  they  despise  all  the  best 
company,  Mr.  Hobart  seeks  it,  and  is  contented  to  be 
laughed  at  by  the  rest.  You  will  be  surprized  to  hear 
he  is  lodged  at  Lady  Orford’s,  and  is  so  intimate  with 
me.  When  he  met  her  in  Holland,  she  pressed  him  to 
accept  of  her  house,  which  he  did,  but  expects  soon  to 
be  turned  out  by  her  arrival.  ...  1 cannot  think  my 
Lady  will  be  sorry  to  have  so  pretty  a young  man  in 
the  house  with  her.  I told  him  the  other  day  that,  on 
my  Lady’s  return  he  would  hear  such  strange  stories 
of  me  that,  as  fond  as  he  now  seemed,  he  would  then 
hate  me ; he  promised  he  would  not,  and  I really 
believe  him.  . . . The  old  acquaintances  you  esteemed 
have  not  forgot  you.  I introduced  Mr.  Hobart  to 
them  all,  in  your  name,  and  he  was  witness  to  the 


244 


GARDEN  ASSEMBLIES. 


1746. 


many  obliging  things  they  said  of  you.  The  Princess 
in  particular  was  most  gracious,  and  said  no  recom- 
mendation could  be  so  acceptable,  which  I assured  her 
I would  tell  you.’ 

This  English,  gentleman  was  a supreme  favourite 
with  the  Florentines.  ‘ Mr.  Hobart,’  Mann  writes  on 
the  14th  of  June,  ‘ is  frequently  witness  to  my  epuise- 
ments  and  embarras.  He  supplies  the  place  of  the 
Chutes,  by  coming  to  me  after  he  has  set  all  the 
Dame  in  a twitter.  You  can’t  think  how  they  admire 
him ; — how  he  admires  them.  How  he  will  resist,  I 
can’t  tell,  but  he  has  much  business  upon  his  hands  ; 
hitherto,  he  supports  it  very  well.  He  often  asks 
for  Cypress  wine  which,  he  says,  is  the  best  restora- 
tive in  the  world.  He  contents  himself  to  eat  goose- 
berry tarts  every  night  with  me,  after  having  been 
so  long  used  to  the  elegant  suppers  with  you  at 
White’s, — -what  a change  ! ’ 

There  was,  however,  compensation.  ‘I  have  begun,’ 
says  Mann,  on  the  19th  July,  ‘my  assemblies  in  the 
garden  which  are  vastly  resorted  to.  Indeed  they 
are  pretty.  I intend  to  surprize  them  with  a little 
musick  next  Thursday,  in  bob- cherry  walk.  I cannot 
announce  it,  as  it  would  make  the  crowd  too  great.’ 

News  of  the  victory  at  Culloden,  and  of  that 
gained  by  the  troops  of  Maria  Theresa  and  the  King 
of  Sardinia,  hardly  gave  Mann  more  pleasure  than  the 
assurance  that  Lady  Orford  was  not  about  to  return 
to  Florence,  and  there  make  social  war  against  the 
minister.  ‘Last  week,’  he  says  (August  23rd),  ‘arrived, 
quite  h I’improviste,  the  Abate  Niccoli.  He  left  the 
Italian  maid  he  brought  from  England  at  a villa  the 


1746. 


ITALY. 


245 


first  night  not  to  alarm  the  town,  as  he  said.  I know 
nobody  that  was  alarmed,  but  the  Eichmond  ’ (Lady 
Orford’s  English  maid),  ‘she  indeed  was  in  violent 
fuss,  and  in  great  hurry  to  execute  the  orders  she 
received  to  return.  . . . My  Lady’s  furniture  is  put 
into  the  hands  of  the  famous  Gavi.  . ' . . She  has  wrote 
to  a person  here  ’ (Eichecourt)  ‘ to  tell  him  that  when 
she  was  on  the  point  of  settling  affairs  with  my  Lord, 
he  broke  off,  which  would  oblige  her  to  stay  longer  in 
England  than  she  designed ; but  as  the  Florentine 
world  has  proofs  enough  of  her  amorous  constitution, 
the  change  of  her  resolution  is  attributed  to  some  new 
passion  to  which  she  has  sacrificed  the  Count.  ...  I 
fancy  he  will  be  better  without  her.’ 

£ Mr.  Hobart  has  not  been  at  all  considered.  You 
know  be  lodged  at  her  house.  I have  told  him  he 
deserves  it,  for  his  little  delicacy  in  staying  in  a place 
where  he  was  received  so  ill  ; for  after  the  first  week, 
the  Eichmond  strip’d  the  house  of  almost  all  the 
necessary  furniture,  under  pretence  of  fitting  up  a villa 
for  my  Lady,  whom  she  said  she  daily  expected  ; so 
that  he  was  forced  to  hire  what  he  wanted.’ 

But  none  knew  better  than  Mann  the  advantages 
of  living  in  Italy.  On  a day  in  September  (27th)  he 
bursts  out  with  the  remark,  ‘ You  will  agree  with  me 
that  Italy  is  a charming  place.  I wish  indeed  there 
was  a little  more  society.  There  is  a vast  deal  of 
company  and  crowd,  but  nothing  of  the  former,  and 
unless  one  has  a Cicisbea,  one  grows  tired  of  their 
great  assemblies.  The  frequent  Operas  we  have  are  a 
great  resource.  One  sits  at  home  in  one’s  box,  to 
receive  company,  which  one  leaves  when  it  is  not 


246 


MARCHES E FOLCO. 


1746. 


agreeable,  and  makes  visits,  or  one  attends  to  the 
musick.  The  newly  married  daughters  of  Madame 
Suares,  the  Piccori  and  Carducci,  do  not  turn  out  so 
well  as  might  have  been  expected  ; but  people  attri- 
bute it  to  the  extreme  jealousy  of  their  husbands,  who 
permit  none  but  such  as  they  chuse  to  be  about  them, 
so  that  upon  the  whole  they  make  a bad  figure.’ 

There  were  among  the  Florentines  a few  who 
visited  England,  and  depended  on  Mann’s  introduc- 
tion of  them  to  Walpole,  and  on  Walpole’s  remem- 
brance of  kindnesses  rendered  to  him  in  Florence. 
Walpole  was  not  flattered  by  the  introductions,  nor 
was  his  memory  burthened  by  much  gratitude.  Mann 
smoothed  his  ruffled  plumes.  ‘You  know,  my  dear 
child,’  he  says  (Oct.  27th),  ‘ the  necessity  I am  under 
on  such  occasions  ’ (being  asked  for  letters  of  introduc- 
tion) ‘ of  appearing  something  by  shewing  such  atten- 
tion to  the  Florentine  nobility,  and  that  I have  nobody 
but  you  to  address  them  to.  None  of  my  own  folks 
would  do  on  these  occasions.’  This  was  written  in 
reference  to  Marchese  Folco  (son  of  the  Marchese 
Rinuncini  who  had  been  the  representative  in  England 
of  Giovanni  Gaston,  the  last  of  the  Medici  Grand  Dukes 
of  Tuscany),  whom  Mann  had  sent  to  Walpole,  who 
remarks  thereupon  : ‘ I was  glad  to  see  him— after 
I had  got  over  being  sorry  to  see  him.  . . . and  in- 
quired about  fifty  people  that  I had  entirely  forgot 
till  his  arrival.  . . . He  told  me  some  passages  that 
I don’t  forgive  you  for  not  telling.  Your  Cicisbeatura, 
Sir,  with  the  Antinori ; and  Manelli’s  marriage  and 
jealousy.  Who  consoles  my  illustrious  mistress  ? ’ 
Mann  assures  Walpole,  at  considerable  length, 


1 746. 


ORANGE-  FLO  WEE  WA  TER. 


247 


that  his  politeness  to  Folco  was  highly  appreciated  by 
his  illustrious  mistress,  Griffoni,  who  was  in  grief 
at  the  marriage  of  her  Cicisbeo,  Marchese  Manelli. 
Folco’s  father  thanked  Mann  with  great  solemnity  : 
“‘En  vcrite,  Monsieur  le  Chevalier,  nous  sommes  tous 
;iu  dernier  point  sensibles  h toutes  les  graces  ct  bontds 
<pie  vous  avez  procure  it  mon  fils.”  He  has  wrote  to 
me  in  the  same  stile.’  In  reference  to  Folco’s  gossip, 
Mann  asks:  ‘What  has  he  been  telling  you  about 
me  ? I assure  you  I am  not  quite  a Cicisbeo.  Sisistori 
keeps  close  there.  I go  too,  but  not,  constantly  ; 
neither  do  I believe  that  1 will  be  more  assidueous 
when  he  marries  the  Lena  Guadagni.  A rigorous 
Oieisbeatura  would  be  too  much  for  me.  I have 
neither  time  nor  spirits  to  go  through  with  it ; ne 
potrei  scrvirla  secondo  il  suo  merito. 

4 I forgot  to  tell  you  of  the  cruel  separation  which 
caused  your  Princess  so  many  tears.  Manelli  pro- 
mised to  return,  but  has  not  kept  his  word.  Perhaps 
she  still  stays  for  him,  and  will  not  accept  of  any 
other  to  supply  his  place.’ 

Mann  was  constantly  applied  to,  to  execute  com- 
missions for  friends  in  England,  where  at  this  time 
a new  scent  was  in  favour.  4 l have  of  late  had  so 
great,  a demand’  (Nov.  22nd)  4 for  orange-flower 
water  from  England  that  T must  conclude  it  is  greatly 
esteemed.  Your  uncle  never  thought  he  could  have 
enough,  and  then  he  desired  some  for  Lady  Catherine 
Pelham.  This  has  put  it  into  my  head  to  send  you 
a supply  of  it,  and  if  you  should  not  know  what  to 
do  with  it,  you  may  distribute  it  about  to  all  the 
females  you  have  so  lately  praised.’ 


248 


SATISFACTION. 


1746. 


Mann  was  too  amiable  to  find  trouble  in  anything, 
now  that  the  Rebellion  was  suppressed,  the  chief  rebels 
in  their  graves,  the  old  Chevalier  a helpless  gentleman 
at  Rome,  and  ‘ bonny  Prince  Charlie,’  a wanderer  on 
the  face  of  the  earth. 


A DUCAL  TjT~RGT.A  ~r 


249 


CHAPTER  XI. 

1747. 

The  chronicle  of  this  year  opens  with  a domestic  story 
which  excited  ranch  attention  at  the  time.  In  a 
letter  dated  .January  10th,  Mann  informs  his  'dear 
child  ’ — ‘ A terrible  fracas  has  happened  in  Casa  Stzozzi 
at  Rome  by  the  dispersion  of  her  famous  Museum. 
Whilst  the  Princess  was  here  last  summer,  to  marry 
her  second  son  to  another  Srrozzi,  grand -daughter  of 
old  Riccardi,  her  Cabinet  at  Rome  was  broke  open, 
and  hundreds  of  ring's,  both  Intaglios  and  Cameos  as 
well  as  some  Medals  taken  away.  The  poor  old 
woman  did  not  discover  it  for  some  time,  as  there 
were  no  outward  marks  of  force  either  to  the  doors  of 
the  rooms  or  the  Cabinets.  Judge  of  her  amazement 
and  affliction  when  she  opened  them  : for  she  both 
understood  and  valued  them.  The  thief  must  have 
had  at  least  twelve  false  keys.  The  whole  assortment 
was  doubly  locked  and  the  Sanctum  Sanctorum  well 
guarded  ; but  all  was  not  sufficient  to  keep  out  the 
sacrilegious  hands  of  the  villain  whom  all  the  family 
and  all  the  world  calls  Duke  Srrozzi.  her  son  The 
Madonna  escaped,  as  it  is  lelieved  he  thought  it  too 
remarkable  a jewel  to  dispose  of.  She  has  sent  to 


250 


THE  OPERA  AT  FLORENCE. 


1747.' 


desire  me  to  enquire  of  all  the  Giojellieri  and  Orefici 
upon  the  Ponte  Yecchio  of  London,  and  to  order  the 
Barghello  to  make  diligent  search  in  the  Ghetto 
among  the  Jews.  Many  of  the  things  may  indeed 
be  known  as  they  are  printed  in  the  “ Florentine  Mu- 
seum.” One  pities  her  extremely,  not  only  for  the 
value  of  the  things,  but  as  the  loss  is  irreparable. 
They  say  the  good  old  Princess  pines  about  it  ex- 
tremely, and  so  much  the  more  as  by  busily  making 
known  her  misfortune,  she  has  totally  discredited  her 
oldest  son.’ 

On  the  last  day  of  January,  Mann’s  periodical  letter 
is  full  of  the  record  of  public  gaiety  : — ‘ You  know,’  he 
says,  £ what  a busy  time  the  Carnival  is.  I partake 
none  of  its  amusements  but  the  Opera,  and  yet  that 
deranges  my  whole  system.  The  show  at  the  Via 
della  Pergola  is  really  magnificent.  The  Tesi  has 
been  taken  from  her  involuntary  retirement,  to  act 
Achilles  ; and  appears  with  great  eclat , though  she 
trembled  much  the  first  night,  believing  that  her 
whole  future  reputation  as  an  Actress  was  at  stake  ; 
but  she  does  extremely  well  and  has  the  Gloria,  as 
she  calls  it,  of  having  restored  the  Via  della  Pergola 
Theater  which  indeed,  by  the  first  Opera  produced 
there,  was  quite  sunk.  She  rants  a little  too  much 
whilst  she  is  in  woman’s  cloaths ; but,  they  say,  the 
part  requires  it ; and,  as  all  the  Cavalieri  Accademici 
are  Impresarii,  the  Ladies,  who  don’t  love  her,  are 
forced  to  applaud  Putello,  who  does  the  part  of  Ulysses, 
does  it  very  well,  too.  He  formerly,  they  say,  sung 
much  better  ; but  he  lost  much  of  his  voice  at  Naples, 
so  that  in  his  Airs,  he  is  not  heard.  Tire  Fumagalli, 


1747. 


TEE  BALLET. 


251 


who  acts  Deidamia,  is  a good  figure  and  well  drest  : 
the  rest  are  not  worth  naming.  The  Opera  begins  with 
Dances  and  a numerous  Chorus  alia  Francese,  and  the 
whole  is  conducted  with  great  pomp.  There  is  in  par- 
ticular a great  supper,  during  which  the  whole  theater 
is  vastly  illuminated,  and  it  remains  so  for  the  Dances 
which  follow ; here,  the  unfortunate  Saufterre,  natural 
son  of  the  Regent  and  La  Mar,  gains  great  applause. 
Hitherto,  in  Italy,  the  Dances  were  only  Dances. 
The  scene  opened  and  discovered  the  Dancers,  who 
began  to  dance,  but  now  they  are  called  Contrascene, 
or  Balli  Significant!.  The  first  is  a Retour  cle  Chasse 
Royale.  They  are  seen  at  a great  distance,  marching 
over  mountains  in  procession,  followed  by  crowds  with 
all  proper  and  improper  implements  ; and  then  they 
descend  and  dance.  Upon  the  whole  it  is  not  called  a 
good  Opera,  but  the  most  splendid  entertainment  over 
seen  in  the  Via  della  Pergola.  They  act  every  night 
but  Saturday,  in  opposition  to  the  Via  di  Cucumero, 
where  there  is  a most  vile  Burletta ; but  then  there 
is  Denis  and  Pantateonina  whom  many  prefer  to 
Saufterre  and  “ Sparecchiata  Tavola,”  so  that  parties 
run  very  high.  I dare  not  take  mine.  Twenty 
English  that  are  now  here,  have  decided  boisterously 
for  Denis,  with  all  the  Gens  d'Armes  and  Citta- 
dinanza,  in  opposition  to  all  the  Nobility.  Judge 
then,  if  it  is  not  prudent  to  be  neutral,  which  however 
is  no  easy  task  ! 

‘ Those  twenty  English  embarrass  me  much.  It  is 
vastly  the  mode  to  entertain.  They  have  separate 
lodgings  and  french  cooks,  and  one  is  tormented  to 
death.  Some  indeed  entertain  vastly  well,  and  have 


252 


ESCORTING  A PRINCESS. 


1747. 


their  hors  d’ oeuvres  and  entremets,  in  great  order. 
Others  who  won’t  give  ten  zecchins,  (about  5 1.)  a 
month  to  a Cook,  do  not  succeed  quite  so  well,  but 
yet  will  imitate  the  fine  way.  Lord  Hobart  and  I 
were  ready  to  burst  with  laughter  t’other  day,  at  a 
noble  table,  where  ten  people  were  set  down  to  a 
first  course  of  a soup  and  two  hors  d’oeuvres  literally 
consisting  of  a Mustard  pot  in  a small  dish  and, 
opposite  to  it,  a plate  of  the  vile  white  Radishes.  The 
mustard  was  to  serve  for  the  Bouilli  which  was  to 
relieve  the  Soup.  I have  escaped  many  dinners  by  a 
fever  which  seized  me  last  Tuesday  whilst  I was  in 
the  hight  of  my  Despatches.  ...  I was  blooded  the 
next  day,  and  went  to  the  Opera,  with  the  Princess  ’ 
(Craon)  c last  night,  which  unfortunately  has  exposed 
me  to  a great  dinner  to  day.  I wish  T could  give 
you  a description  of  her  setting  forth,  for  it  was  her 
first  sortie  after  an  epuisement  and  an  accablement  of 
a fortnight.  When  we  thought  all  was  ready  to 
march,  she  sent  Tozzoni  into  her  room  for  twenty 
things.  Amongst  others,  he  brought  her  half  a hood  to 
hang  over  her  whole  face,  to  keep  the  air  from  striking 
it,  and  a monstrous  fan,  or  little  screen,  made  of 
linnen,  with  a long  handle,  for  a servant  to  carry  at 
some  distance  before  her,  to  prevent  the  air  coming 
with  too  much  force  against  the  covering  to  her  face. 
I was  put  into  the  Coach  with  her,  and  was  vastly 
afraid  of  hurting  her,  or  squeezing  her.  I was  heartily 
glad  when  we  got  to  the  Theater  where,  you  know, 
she  takes  great  precautions  to  arrive  as  the  curtain 
draws  up,  as  she  pleases  herself  with  the  notion  that 
it  is  done  to  do  her  honour ; — just  as  she  attributed 


1747. 


UNION  OF  THE  CHURCHES. 


253 


the  whole  Corso  at  Rome,  when  she  made  her  entry,  as 
coming  there  to  make  that  magnificent.’ 

‘ Did  I ever  tell  you  that  your  Princess  Griffoni 
(who  often  enquires  after  you)  has  been  abandoned  by 
Manelli.  He  took  the  opportunity  of  his  marrying,  on 
a promise  to  return  again,  but  has  not  kept  his  word, 
and  she  was  sometime  without,  quite  sconsolata,  till 
(of  very  late)  Bernardino  Riccardi  has  left  his  black 
Frescobaldi,  to  take  to  her.  Jesus  ! here  is  mad  Mr. 
St.  John  and  Baron  Stosch.  The  first  is  come  to 
persuade  me  to  unite  the  Churches  of  England  and 
Rome ; and  the  latter  to  thank  me  for  having  sent  the 
corpse  of  his  Brother  to  be  buried  at  Leghorn. 

‘ . . . It  was  just  as  I said  ; Mr.  St.  John  has  been 
preaching  to  me  for  above  an  hour,  to  make  it  clear 
that  nothing  is  so  proper  or  so  easy  as  to  bring  about 
this  union  ; and  he  is  sure  if  I would  but  write  to 
King,  Lords,  and  Commons,  that  they  would  all  agree 
as  to  the  force  of  his  arguments,  and  give  their 
consents  to  put  all  Dominion  under  the  one  or  three 
glorious  crowns,  so  plain  a symbol  of  the  Trinity.  On 
his  part  he  will  engage  to  make  the  Pope  accept  the 
laws  of  England  and  to  prove  to  him  that  they  are 
Jesus  Christ  and  the  twelve  Jurymen  his  Apostles  ! 
Poor  man  ! ’ 

On  February  14th,  Mann  announces  the  close  of 
the  Carnival  for  the  morrow,  ‘the  ashes  of  Wednesday 
imbitter  the  pleasures  of  the  last  days  ; but  the  last 
days  were  rendered  lively  by  a very  curious  English 
display.  On  the  night  of  the  13th,  there  was  a great 
ball  in  the  Via  della  Pergola,  at  which  many  of  the 
English  represented  Free  Masonry.  Their  habits  were 


254 


DANCING  FREEMASONS. 


1747. 


pretty,  and  Denis,  the  first  dancer,  who  is  a Master 
Mason,  composed  a dance  on  purpose,  which  succeeded 
very  well.  The  Italians  liked  it  as  a masquerade, 
which  was  all  they  knew  of  it.  They  danced  it  twice, 
with  great  applause  ; but  the  third  time  the  people 
were  offended  that  their  Tresconi  was  interrupted, 
which  occasioned  some  bustle,  and  had  not  General 
Salvi  threatened  to  put  all  the  Fidlers  into  prison, 
the  Tresconi  would  have  got  the  better.  The  Im- 
presarij,  I hear,  are  all  offended  (for  I was  not  there  so 
late),  and  Lord  March  was  so  angry  with  them  that 
he  proposed  that  each  of  the  nine  Free  Masons  should 
fight  an  Impresario.  They  intended  to  appear  in  the 
same  habits,  at  the  Ball,  on  Tuesday  night,  but  the 
fracas  has  made  them  alter  their  minds.’ 

In  the  same  letter,  Mann  refers  to  the  course 
adopted  by  the  Jacobites  in  Borne  and  Florence. 
‘They  are  making  use  of  the  non-arrival  of  as  many 
as  five  posts,  to  publish  their  villanous  reports.  It  is 
supposed  that  Couriers  can  fly  thro’  the  air  to  them, 
or  that  the  holy  people  at  Borne  are  instructed  of  what 
passes  in  the  remote  parts  of  Europe,  by  their  tutelar 
Saints.  Santa  Sobieska  ’ (the  Princess  Clementina 
Maria  Sobieska,  grand-daughter  of  the  famous  John 
Sobieski,  King  of  Poland,  was  the  clever  and  ill- 
requitecl  wife  of  the  Pretender)  ‘ no  doubt  has  taken  the 
province  of  England,  and  wispers  in  her  Lord’s  ear 
everything  that  passes  at  the  English  Court.  I can 
give  you  no  better  account  for  the  assertions  lately 
given  at  the  Palazzo  dei  Sti.  Apostoli  of  the  King  of 
England’s  sudden  death.  It  was  by  the  first  post 
from  thence  whispered  as  a secret,  and  the  next  wrote 


1747. 


A POINT  OF  HONOUR. 


255 


publickly,  and  though  not  supported  by  any  one 
circumstance,  yet  by  the  vulgar  it  is  credited  ; the 
prudent  even  are  astonished  at  such  a report,  and  in 
vain  endeavour  to  destroy  it.  Nothing  but  the 
arrival  of  letters  will  be  able  to  do  that,  which  you 
will  imagine  I wait  for  with  the  most  cruel  im- 
patience.’ 

The  five  posts  arrived  altogether,  and  on  Feb- 
ruary 28th,  Mann  was  replying  to  one  letter  of  Wal- 
pole’s, which  was  written  on  the  previous  Christmas 
day.  The  chief  incident  or,  as  Mann  says,  ‘ a grand 
affair,’  was,  that  ‘ a Lorrain  Officer  insulted  M. 
Langlois  in  the  Theater  of  Leghorn.  Upon  the  latter 
returning  the  same  language,  the  officer  made  up  to 
him  to  strike  him,  which  Langlois  prevented  his  doing, 
by  retiiing  some  steps  and  drawing  his  sword.  This 
is  represented  by  the  Corps  Militaire  as  an  affront  to 
every  one  who  wears  a uniform,  and  likewise  a more 
heinous  affront  to  the  Emperor  and  his  Theater.  Un- 
luckily for  the  officers,  the  Kegency  and  all  prudent 
people  look  upon  the  necessity  Langlois  was  in  to 
defend  himself  against  a person  who  was  the  first 
aggressor,  as  a great  mitigation  of  his  fault ; and  on 
the  contrary  they  look  upon  the  officer’s  proceeding  as 
so  irregular  that  they  have  represented  the  whole 
affair  to  Vienna,  knowing  very  well  that  the  Militaire 
would  not  submit  to  their  decision,  unless  it  were  to 
order  Langlois’  head  to  be  cut  off  for  an  example. 
The  Factory  of  Leghorn  have  made  a representation, 
and  I have  wrote  such  a letter  to  the  Regency  as  has 
pleased  much.  The  Regency,  all  the  Town,  and  many 
even  of  the  Officers  are  on  my  side.  I expect  Langlois 


255 


THE  YOUNG  CHEVALIER. 


1747. 


this  evening  from  Leghorn.  His  arrest  in  his  house 
there  is  to  be  changed  to  the  City  of  Florence,  for  his 
confinement,  and  the  officer  is  not  to  stir  from 
Leghorn.  This  I obtained  with  some  art,  and  it  is 
the  only  shadow  of  satisfaction  the  Regency  can  give 
me.’ 

Mann  wanted  even  such  shadows  when  he  thought 
of  the  affairs  of  the  Pretender  and  the  whereabouts  of 
Charles  Edward.  ‘ Letters  from  Rome  say,  he  ’ (the 
young  Chevalier)  ‘disappeared  on  a sudden;  those  from 
Lions  say  he  passed  there  on  his  way  to  Avignon,  but 
the  Vice  Legate  there  has  assured  the  Pope  that  he 
was  not  arrived  nor  expected.  ...  At  the  same  time, 
my  sly  friends  at  Rome  assure  me  that  they  are  per- 
suaded something  is  in  the  air,  and  desire  me  to  be 
attentive.  . . . They  think  that  France  will  make  a 
descent  on  Ireland.  ...  I am  not  without  anxiety  on 
that  score.’ 

A postscript  referring  to  a Norfolk  Squire  named 
Davis,  who  had  copied  so  perfectly  the  famous  Dome- 
nichino  as  to  deceive  Mr.  Chute,  who  was  familiar  with 
the  original,  says : — ‘ 1 am  afraid  that  neither  your 
Brother  nor  Cousin,  who  I hear  are  turned  painters, 
will  make  such  a progress.  I have  a Commission  to 
send  the  first  some  Terra  gialla  di  Siena,  and  to 
the  latter  a load  of  Pastelli,  which  your  Unkle  has 
wrote  to  me  for,  and  which  I can  luckily  send  him 
in  the  greatest  perfection  from  hence,  as  Messina  is 
famous  for  making  them.’ 

On  March  14th,  Mann  refers  to  the  remarkable 
Court  Martial  recently  held  on  Commodore  Towns- 
hend.  In  April  1746,  Townshend  had  informed  the 


1747. 


NA  VAL  G 0 UllT-MAllTlAL. 


257 


Lords  of  the  Admiralty  that  he  had  fallen  in  with  a 
squadron  of  the  enemy’s  ships,  to  which  he  gave  chase 
till  discovering  them  to  be  French  men-of-war  from 
Toulon,  commanded  he  believed  by  M.  de  Lages,  he  did 
not  think  proper  to  speak  with  them.  The  Lords  of 
the  Admiralty,  not  approving  of  English  naval  com- 
manders ruling  the  waves  after  this  fashion,  ordered 
Townshend  to  be  placed  under  arrest,  and  to  be  tried 
by  court  martial,  at  Port  Mahon,  as  soon  as  con- 
venient. The  trial  did  not  take  place  till  March,  1747. 
It  then  appeared  that  if  Townshind  had  been  capable 
of  writing  an  intelligible  letter  in  his  own  language,  he 
would  not  have  found  himself  suspected  of  cowardice. 
He  had  omitted  to  state  that  he  had  only  one  ship  be- 
sides his  own,  which  he  must  have  lost  had  he  engaged 
with  de  Lages,  who  had  four  ships.  Mann  says  ‘ he 
was  honourably  acquitted  ...  he  was  censured  only 
for  his  carelessness  in  writing,  and  ordered  to  ask  their 
Lordships’  pardon  ; after  which  he  was  reinstated  in 
the  command  of  his  ship  in  which  he  had  been  a 
prisoner  for  so  many  months.’ 

A singular  circumstance  in  connection  with  this 
matter  is  to  be  found  in  Mann’s  letter  of  the  14th 
March.  Townshend’s  negligently  written  despatch  to 
the  Admiralty  passed  through  Mann’s  hands,  to  be 
forwarded  to  its  destination.  On  which  the  British 
Minister  at  Florence,  says : ‘ It  was  horridly  unlucky 
that  he  did  not  send  me  his  fatal  letter  open  ’ (as  most 
of  them  used  to  do)  ‘ in  which  case  I certainly  should 
not  have  forwarded  it.’  From  which  it  is  to  be  in- 
ferred that  the  Minister  used  to  read  all  unsealed 
letters. 


VOL.  I. 


s 


258 


ROUTE  OF  THE  YOUNG  CHEVALIER.  1747. 


From  private  sympathy  for  Townshencl,  Mann 
turns  to  expressions  of  fear  for  the  public  weal.  £ I 
am  alarmed,’  he  says,  £ since  I received  notice  of  the 
preparations  which  Murray,  (or  the  Roman  Lord  Dun- 
bar) is  making  to  set  out  for  france.  . . . Do  you 
think  the  Pretender  would  part  with  the  only  one  in 
whom  he  confides  unless  of  some  scheme  of  devilish 
importance  ? ’ 

£ I can’t  think  what  view  the  people  of  Rome 
have  in  persisting  to  say  the  King  is  in  a bad  state 
of  health.  You  can’t  imagine  their  insolence  on  this 
head ; nay,  many  of  our  friends  believe  it.  They 
wish  the  contrary  they  say,  but  still  the  assertions 
from  so  many  parts  stagger  them.’ 

The  Minister’s  fears  had  increased  before  he  wrote 
his  letter  of  the  21st.  £ We  hear  that  the  Pretender’s 

son  made  a short  stay  at  Avignon  and,  as  all  his 
father’s  people  and  friends  say,  is  gone  to  Spain.  The 
extraordinary  pains  they  take  to  persuade  people  of 
this  would  make  one  doubt  the  truth  of  it,  especially 
as  they  add,  as  the  motive  of  this  journey,  his  having- 
left  France  in  great  disgust.  . . . Whether  he  be  gone 
to  Spain  or  to  some  Port  in  France,  it  seems  highly 
probable  that  something  is  in  agitation  in  his  favour. 
If  he  be  gone  to  Spain,  perhaps  it  may  be  a con- 
trivance of  France  to  raise  a jealousy  between  England 
and  that  Court,  to  prevent  what  they  so  much  fear, 
our  separate  accommodation.  Murray’s  departure  from 
Rome  at  this  juncture  adds  to  my  suspicions ; . . . 
He  says  he  will  depart  about  (our)  Easter, — on  ac- 
count of  his  health  ; that  he  shall  stay  some  time  at 
Avignon  and  then  proceed  to  France  ; though  those 


1747. 


AN  ITALIAN  SPRING. 


259 


who  believe  the  young  Pretender  is  gone  to  Spain  are 
persuaded  that  Murray  will  follow  him.  . . . Lord 
George  Murray  arrived  at  the  Pretender’s,  the  17th. 
from  Venice,  where  he  left  Lord  Elcho  ’ (whom  Mann 
more  than  once  stigmatizes  as  a c fool  ’)  ‘ and  other 
rebels,  and  I believe  Lord  Marechal.’ 

The  letter  ends  with  a sad  incident.  £ As  Captain 
Vanbrugh  was  returning  from  Mr.  Townshend’s  Court 
Martial  to  his  ship,  his  boat  overset,  and  he  and  all 
his  men  were  drowned,  which  has  vastly  afflicted 
M.  Goldworthy  who  was  his  brother-in-law.’  Thus 
Townshend’s  carelessness  in  writing  led  to  the  sacrifice 
of  several  lives. 

While  brave  men  lost  their  lives,  others  of  little 
worth  were  loaded  with  honours.  ‘ The  Count  ’ 
(Riclieeourt)  £ is  coming  to  ferret  us.  He  is  become 
an  Imperial  Marquis,  by  the  name  of  Traschiato  ’ (if 
he  chuses  to  wear  it).  ‘ The  Emperor  has  lately  given 
lfim  a fief.  ...  I am  vastly  afraid  my  Lady  may 
come  to  Florence  too  ; pray  watch  her  motions  and 
her  degree  of  ardour  for  Mr.  Shirley,  that  one  may 
know  if  she  has  any  for  the  Florentine  Earl — Marquis 
di  Traschiato  and  Grand  Prior  di  Perugia.’ 

From  a long  rambling  letter  of  the  25th  April,  we 
catch  a breath  of  a last  century  Italian  Spring.  ‘ I 
am  sitting  snugly  by  a good  fire,  on  this  25th  April, 
which  I would  leave,  however,  to  go  to  the  Opera, 
was  it  not  for  my  letters.  A week  ago  it  was  hot  and 
I left  off  my  furs,  and  stopt  up  the  chimney,  I have 
been  forced  to  supply  the  first  by  a good  warm  waist- 
coat, and  shall  continue  the  latter  till  all  the  snow 
that  is  now  on  the  hills  round  Florence  be  melted 
into  the  Arno.’ 


260 


JACOBITE  VIEWS. 


1747. 


In  a passage  on  old  Fraser  of  Lovat’s  coming- 
execution  (a  mere  echo  of  Walpole’s  account),  Mann 
says  of  the  Popish  Pretender’s  captured  followers  gene- 
rally: ‘The  Florentines  have  sent’  (to  them)  ‘pompous 
accounts  of  the  ceremony.  The  reflections  on  con- 
demning people  for  what  their  religion  teaches  them 
to  approve  was  not  read  to  me.’ 

May  1 6th. — ‘The  Nuncio  at  Paris  has  wrote  to 
Rome  that  the  young  Pretender  is  in  the  neighbour- 
hood of  that  place,  and  that  the  Court  will  make  use 
of  him  again  to  raise  confusion  in  some  part  of  Great 
Britain,  when  the  troops  are  in  flanders,  in  order  to 
oblige  the  King  to  recall  them.  I have  seen  people 
who  pretend  that  the  severity  which  was  practised  in 
Scotland  last  year  has  exasperated  the  whole  country, 
and  that  greater  numbers  would  rise  on  a second  in- 
vasion than  did  then,  tho’  1 cannot  suppose  nor  can  I 
understand  what  they  mean  by  severity  when,  in  all 
other  countries  hundreds  of  them  would  have  been 
hung  up  as  soon  as  taken.  I wish  that  the  really  not 
using  severity  there  may  not  make  it  absolutely 
necessary  hereafter.  So  soon  as  the  present  danger 
is  over,  people  seem  to  forget  the  cruelties  that  the 
Rebels  committed,  and  those  which  they  would  com- 
mit again  as  soon  as  an  occasion  offered. 

‘ I assure  you  that  the  Jacobites  abroad,  both 
English  and  foreign,  flatter  themselves  still  that  some- 
thing may  and  will  be  done.  Holt  and  Munroe  are 
returned  here  from  Rome,  on  the  way  ’tis  said  to 
England.  I should  think  some  notice  would  be  taken 
of  them,  as  their  behaviour  at  Rome  has  been  so 
publickly  insolent.  They  have  not  been  with  me  or 


1747. 


AN  ENGLISH  PROJECTOR. 


261 


any  of  the  English,  but  take  the  opportunity  of 
masking  to  go  to  the  Theater.  It  was  said  here  that 
Bouverie,  who  was  formerly  with  them,  at  Rome,  and 
constantly  with  the  Pretender’s  people,  was  forced,  on 
his  return  to  England,  to  give  hail  for  his  behaviour, 
and  that  Munroe’s  pension  as  a traveling  Physician, 
had  been  taken  from  him,  Pray  tell  me  if  these  cir- 
cumstances are  true.’ 

June  6th. — ‘We  have  two  English  here  whom  I 
can’t  understand,  Mr.  Mills  and  Mr.  Davison.  The 
first  introduced  himself  into  the  town  with  the  title 
of  Colonel  in  the  Empress’s  service,  and  then  concealed 
that  title  ; he  came  from  Vienna  with  strong  recom- 
mendations from  Mr.  Toussaint,  and  they  say  he  is 
to  command  a Batallion  of  Marines  lately  raised  here. 
He  appears  to  have  been  much  about  London  and 
knows  everybody.  He  appears  to  be  rich  by  the 
number  of  servants  he  keeps.  Both  he  and  Davison, 
who  formerly  travelled  with  Lord  March,  and  was  at 
the  Accademy  at  Turin,  have  made  up  laced  uniforms, 
blue  and  red.  The  former  speaks  no  language  but 
English,  and  the  other  very  little  french  and  italian. 
They  make  continual  jaunts  to  Leghorn  and  Pisa. 
Mr.  Mills  has  lost  one  of  his  forefingers.’ 

The  Empress’s  Colonel,  who  knew  every  body  in 
England,  was  not  known  there.  Walpole  could  learn 
nothing  of  him.  If  he  ever  made  a noise  in  England, 
be,  like  Projectors  generally,  was  forgotten,  as  soon  as 
out  of  sight.  ‘Lord  Bolingbroke,  Sarah  Malcolm,  and 
old  Marlborough,’  says  Walpole,  ‘ are  never  mentioned 
but  by  elderly  folks  to  their  grandchildren,  who  had 
never  heard  of  them.  What  would  last  Pannoni’s’ 


262 


LORD  HOBART. 


1747. 


(coffee  house  at  Florence)  ‘ a twelvemonth  is  forgotten 
here  in  twelve  hours.’  Walpole  says  of  the  doctor, 
‘ that  Monro  you  mention  was  made  travelling  phy- 
sician, by  my  father’s  interest,  who  had  great  regard 
for  the  old  doctor.  If  he  has  any  skill  in  quacking 
madmen,  his  art  may  perhaps  be  of  service  now  in  the 
Pretender’s  Court.’ — The  travelling  Englishmen  in 
Italy  were  not  all  in  the  Chevalier’s  service.  ‘ Lord 
Hobart,’  says  Mann,  ‘ is  still  at  Naples,  but  proposes 
to  be  here  the  end  of  the  month.  His  resolution, 
however,  does  not  I believe  depend  upon  him,  but 
with  some  body  there  with  whom  he  is  vastly  smitten.’ 
The  same  letter  affords  the  following  illustration  of  the 
lady  who  was  at  the  head  of  the  Court  at  Florence  — - 
‘The  Princesse  is  gone  to  the  Petraja.  I must  tell  you 
a most  delicate  expression  she  made  use  of.  I asked 
her  if  she  would  be  at  the  Procession  of  Corpus 
Domini. — “Non,  monsieur,  mais  je  vous  assure  que  je 
suis  fatiguee  de  l’idee  que  j’avais  d’y  aller.”  Which 
may  be  very  true,  for  with  that  idea,  she  waked-  sooner 
than  usual,  and  then  determined  not  to  go.’  Walpole 
replies  with  an  illustration  of  English  bizarrerie.  A 
Fleming,  at  Rome,  one  Verskovis,  an  artist  in  ivory, 
had  moved  from  Rome  to  England,  where  Walpole 
employed  and  recommended  him,  ‘ but  he  is  starviug,’ 
writes  Walpole,  ‘and  returning  to  Rome,  to  carve  for 
— the  English,  for  whom,  when  he  was  there  before, 
he  could  not  work  fast  enough  ! ’ The  Bouverie  who 
figured  at  the  Pretender’s  Court  in  Rome,  was  thought 
none  the  worse  for  it,  in  England,  if  he  was  akin  to 
the  person  alluded  to  by  Walpole  (June  26th).  ‘Sir 
Jacob  Bouverie,  a considerable  Jacobite,  who  is  made 


1747. 


HENRY  STUART,  A CARDINAL. 


263 


Viscount  Folkestone,  bought  his  ermine  at  twelve 
thousand  pounds  a yard,  from  the  Duchess  of  Kendal 
d’ciujourd’hui’  (Lady  Yarmouth,  the  King’s  mistress). 
—But  a more  important  question  of  ermine  had  to  be 
noticed  by  Mann. 

June  27th. — ‘The  Pretender’s  second  son  is  to  be 
made  a Cardinal.  The  ceremony  is  fixt  for  the  3rd 
of  next  month  ; but  violent  quarrels  have  happened 
about  the  Ceremonial,  on  this  occasion.  He  pretends 
to  wear  Ermine  on  his  Cappa  as  a sign  of  Royalty, 
and  consequently  to  take  place  of  Cardinal  Ruffo  and 
all  the  other  Cardinals,  by  whom  he  insists  on  being 
visited.  All  this  and  much  more  has  alarmed  the 
Eminences.  Cardinal  Ruffo  went  to  Castle  Gandolfo, 
to  expostulate  with  the  Pope  upon  it.  He  as  usual 
turned  everything  into  ridicule,  but  the  Cardinal  con- 
tinued with  great  warmth,  and  in  the  name  of  all  the 
Cardinals,  to  support  their  rights.  Nothing  has  yet 
been  decided,  but  a Congregation  is  to  be  held  on  pur- 
pose as  soon  as  the  Pope  returns  to  Rome. 

‘ The  future  Young  Cardinal’s  family  is  settled ; 
he  is  to  have  a Monsignore  Leigh  for  a Maestro  di 
Camera,  a very  noble  Irishman  born  at  Cadiz  of  a 
little  merchant  there ; two  Sicilian  Marquises  for  his 
Major  Domo  and  Cup-bearer  ; and  an  Abbe  Folingieri 
for  Segretario  dell  ’ Embasciate.  You  know  the  Car- 
dinals have  people  about  them  with  these  titles,  but  as 
all  the  above  are  supposed  to  be  vastly  noble,  the  other 
Cardinals  grumble  at  it.  They  say  he  is  to  be  Legate 
of  Avignon,  for  life,  and  that  he  is  to  have  the  Areh- 
bishoprick  Monte  Reale,  which  Aquaviva  had,  and 
which  they  say  is  worth  near  100,000  Ducats  a year. 


264  HIS  EMINENCE.  CARDINAL  YORK.  1747. 

Is  not  lie  vastly  in  the  right  to  become  Cardinal  ? 
The  eldest  brother,  they  say,  is  certainly  to  marry 
soon,  but  people  now  differ  about  the  person.’ 

July  11  th. — ‘ Lord  Hobart,  who  has  left  for  awhile 
his  loves  at  Eome,  is  here.  He  tells  me  he  has  sent 
you  the  Pope’s  famous  speech  on  creating  the 
youngest  Pretender  a Cardinal.  It  is  to  be  sure,  very 
ridiculous,  but  I don’t  see  what  the  Pope  could  say  on 
the  occasion.  I send  it  this  evening;  to  his  Grace. 
They  were  so  difficult  to  be  got  that  I have  been 
forced  to  keep  a copy  only  for  myself. 

* . . . The  Queen  of  Naples  has  lately  produced 
a son,  for  which  the  King  gave  her  £ Ducats,  and  ^ 
more  yearly  for  her  pin  money.  I think  it  was  paying 
too  dear  for  an  heir  to  such  a crown,  that  may  be 
taken  so  easily  from  him.  The  Austrians  abuse  us 
constantly  for  having  prevented  them  making  that 
conquest  instead  of  going  to  ruin  their  army  in 
Provence  which,  and  all  their  misfortunes  after,  they 
attribute  to  us.  . . 

August  1st — ‘The  Pope  seems  vain  of  his  new 
little  Cardinal  and,  to  show  him  great  honour,  ordered 
that  the  Poman  Senate  should  make  him  a visit  in 
great  ceremony,  which  was  performed  last  week,  but 
not  in  the  manner  it  was  designed.  The  intention  was 
that  that  august  Assembly,  represented  by  four  Con- 
servatori,  should  mount  an  antient  Char  drawn  by  four 
horses  in  front.  Prince  Borbonini  had  an  old  one 
which  was  furbished  up  for  the  occasion.  Prince 
Colonna  was  to  furnish  horses,  but  unluckily  the  very 
morning  of  the  function  a dispute  arose  between  them, 
each  pretending  that  the  C'occhio  should  depart  from 


1747. 


THE  DUKE  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


265 


liis  palace  to  go  to  the  Capitol  to  take  the  Senator,  and 
each  being  too  obstinate  to  give  up  that  honour,  the 
Conservatori  were  forced  to  go  in  coaches,  followed 
by  many  Prelates  and  noble  Romans  to  the  young 
Cardinal’s  house  (whom  they  call  Cardinal  d’  Oreo)  ’ 
(York)  ‘to  whom  they  made  a pompous  Latin  speech 
which  he  answered  in  the  same  language.  I have 
been  promised  them  both,  and  if  they  are  ridiculous 
enough,  I will  send  them  to  you.’ 

‘ . Prince  Craon  and  the  others  tell  me  that 
the  letters  from  Paris  are  full  of  grief  on  this  occa- 
sion ’ (the  almost  fruitless  victory  gained  at  Laffeldt, 
by  the  French,  under  Saxe,  over  the  Duke  of  Cum- 
berland) ‘ as  most  of  the  principal  families  have  lost 
some  relation.  Young  Beauvau,  to  his  joy,  has  lost 
a M.  de  Richelieu,  an  Unkle,  I think,  of  his  wife, 
by  which  she  inherits  something  considerable ; on 
which  occasion,  I made  my  compliments  to  the 
Princesse,  last  night ; which  she,  for  decency  thought 
herself  obliged  to  receive  with  an  Helcis ! that  sighed 
through  the  whole  Gallery.  Everybody  allows  that  the 
Duke  behaved  as  bravely  as  possible,  that  the  English 
troops  did  wonders,  and  that  if  the  Dutch  had  done  as 
well,  and  the  Austrians  could  have  fought,  that  our 
victory  would  have  been  compleat.  It  is  horridly 
unlucky  that  something  should  always  happen  to 
prevent  it  being  so,  and  to  deprive  us  of  what  we 
were  so  near  obtaining.’ 

Referring  to  the  war  which  Spain  had  been  so 
long  carrying  on, — latterly,  on  the  Spanish  King’s 
part,  in  order  to  provide  for  his  brother,  Don  Philip  ! 
— Mann  says,  ‘ Surely  the  King  of  Spain  will  be  con- 


266 


A BANKRUPT  CARDINAL. 


1747. 


vinced,  at  least  of  the  impossibility  of  making  a 
settlement  for  his  Brother  by  such  means.  The 
Court  of  Spain  has  spent  five  times  as  much  (without 
being  at  all  the  nearer)  as  would  have  purchased  more 
than  it  ever  had  a view  to  conquer.’ — Then,  turning 
to  the  subject  of  a settlement  for  Cardinal  York, 
Mann  writes 

August  22  nd. — ‘An  odd  Phenomenon  has  happened 
at  Eome,  a Bankrupt  Cardinal  ! by  name  Borghese. 
Neither  the  Pope,  for  the  honour  of  his  Purpurea,  or 
his  family  would  assist  him,  so  that  he  lately  took 
the  resolution  to  retire  from  Rome,  and  ordered  his 
family  ’ (household)  ‘ to  be  dismissed,  and  all  he  had  to 
be  sold,  to  pay  his  creditors,  who  must  be  contented 
with  a very  small  matter  per  cento.  Cardinal  Gua- 
dagni,  hearing  his  situation,  would  have  resigned  to 
him,  on  very  generous  terms,  his  Badia  di  Grotta 
Terrata,  but  the  Pope  would  not  give  his  approbation, 
and  now  presses  Guadagni  to  resign  it,  on  the  same 
terms,  to  the  new  Cardinal  Di  Oreo,  for  whom  they 
seem  resolved  to  make  a revenue  suitable  to  his  Royal 
and  Eminent  dignity.’ 

September  19 th. — ‘The  Great  Duke,  as  such,  has 
made  a treaty  with  the  Grand  Signor,  in  consequence 
of  which  a commerce  is  to  be  opened  with  the  Levant, 
from  which  the  Ministers  (but  nobody  else)  think 
great  advantages  are  to  come  to  Tuscany.  A present 
is  preparing  to  be  sent  to  Constantinople,  worth  about 
<£5000  ; silks,  watches,  snuff-boxes,  and  other  toys  of 
John  Gaston  ’ (the  last  of  the  Medicean  Dukes)  ‘who 
little  thought  when  he  bought  them  that  they  would 
fall  into  the  hands  of  the  Turks.  Louis  is  making  six 


1747. 


CAFFARELLI,  A DUOAL  VOCALIST. 


267 


gold  Razors  which  it  is  thought  may  induce  the  Sultan 
to  shave  his  beard,  or  his  favourites,  a l’uso  Italiano. 

£ Caffarelli  sings  most  divinely  well.  The  Viconti 
is  strangely  fallen.  Our  second  Opera  begins  on 
Sunday  and  will  be  acted  in  a hurry,  to  give  time 
to  Caffarelli  to  get  to  Naples  by  the  latter  end  of 
October,  to  prepare  for  the  great  Cantata  which  is 
to  be  performed  among  the  proposed  rejoicings  for 
the  birth  of  the  Duke  of  Calabria,  which  are  to  last 
from  the  4th  to  the  19th  of  November.  Most  of  the 
English  now  here  will  return  thither ; the  Cantata  is 
to  be  a Duo  by  Caffarelli  and  Egiziello,  and  a trio, 
by  adding  Babi.  Caffarelli  swears  he  will  make  Egiz- 
iello sing  out  of  tune.  He  did  so  by  the  Astrua,  and 
then  publickly  beat  time  to  her,  for  which  he  was 
sent  to  Prison.  He  has  been  very  good  here,  and 
says  that  in  this  place,  insignificant  as  it  is,  he  has 
observed  that  there  are  people  who  know  what  good 
singing  is,  and  has  promised  to  give  them  something 
fine  for  the  next  Opera.  I must  tell  you  a bon  mot 
of  his.  He  asked  the  Zippoli,  a very  bad  singer,  who 
was  her  Protector  ? She  answered  that  she  had 
none  but  Gesu  e la  Musica  ! To  which  he  replied,  ££  I 
advise  you  my  dear  to  make  much  of  the  first,  for 
you  can  expect  but  little  from  the  second.”  ’ 

Caffarelli,  who  insulted  that  excellent  singer,  the 
Astrua,  as  well  as  the  less  distinguished  vocalist,  the 
Zippoli,  was  a pupil  (with  Farinelli)  of  Porpora.  He 
made  a great  fortune,  and  took  care  of  it.  He  built 
a superb  palace,  on  which  was  inscribed,  ‘Amphion 
Thebas,  Ego  Domum  ! ’ He  bought  the  estate,  which 
carried  with  it  the  ducal  title  of  Santo  Dorato  ; and 


268 


PRINCE  PA WFILI. 


1747. 


in  1783,  at  the  age  of  fourscore,  the  Sol  Fa  Duke 
of  Santo  Dorato  left  land  and  territorial  title  to  his 
nephew.  As  a contrast  with  the  liberally  spending 
Caffarelli,  Mann  thus  depicts  a noted  Prince  of  that 
time  : — 

November  7 th. — ‘We  have  lately  had  here  the 
rich  Prince  Pamfili,  the  heir  of  his  brother’s  monstrous 
estate  of  ^ crowns  per  annum,  and  1,700,000  crowns 
in  ready  money.  I assure  you  I have  taken  care  not 
to  put  a figure  too  much ; and  this  creature  who  has 
lived  upon  love  and,  at  most,  10  pauls  a day,  at  Pisa, 
is  now  become  more  covetous  since  his  brother’s  death. 
One  instance  will  be  sufficient.  He  was  here  with  his 
love,  a Pisan  Dam  a,  and  all  her  family,  on  the  Em- 
peror’s day,  (St.  Francis)  and  being  in  deep  mourning, 
was  under  necessity  to  make  a coat,  to  dine  at  Prince 
Craon’s.  He  had,  he  said,  long  determined  to  make 
up  a plain  beaver  coat,  for  the  winter  ; he  therefore 
took  that  opportunity  to  execute  it,  plain  buttons,  etc., 
and  in  order  to  make  it  Gala,  he  actually  bought  of 
the  Jews  some  old  silver  lace,  a stripe  of  which h e 
put  down  behind  all  the  button-holes  for  that  day 
only,  and  borrowed  an  old  silver  waistcoat  of  some- 
body, to  wear  with  it,  which  he  was  obliged  to  open 
on  both  sides,  to  make  big  enough  ; for  though  he 
starves  himself,  he  has  a big  belly.’ 

On  the  10th  October  Mann  describes  characters  of 
another  sort.  ‘We  have,’  he  says,  ‘a  Spectacle  which, 
for  the  oddity  of  it,  everybody  goes  to,  once  ; — a deep, 
horrible  tragedy,  represented  by  Maynards  (sic).  The 
actors  and  actresses  and  the  whole  troop  have  most 
enormous  natural  humps,  and  the  Impresario  designed 


1747. 


SCENE  TN  AN  OPERA  BOX. 


269 


to  dedicate  the  piece  to  Gobbo  (bump-backed)  Dati,  but 
was  afraid  for  his  own.  The  Craons  were  there  last 
night ; she  promised  to  carry  me  but  forgot  it,  and  "1 
I preferred  the  Opera.  The  last  time  the  Princess  was 
there,  her  dignity  was  doubly  hurt.  When  the  boxes 
applauded  Saufterre  (the  dancer)  the  Pit  hissed,  to 
impose  silence  to  show  their  regard  to  Denis  (ballet- 
master)  who,  after  having  danced  in  the  first  Opera, 
went  to  Naples.  The  Princess  thought  her  presence 
ought  to  have  imposed  more  respect,  and  attributed  the 
little  riot,  as  “faute  d’ attention  a certaines  personnes.” 
Then  a soldier  came  into  the  box,  to  tell  Chatelet  the 
Venice  Post  had  arrived,  which  he  Avould  not  (accord- 
ing to  their  rules)  pronounce,  without  first  shouldering 
and  presenting  his  musket.  The  Princess,  who  had 
never  seen  such  a sight  in  a room, — an  impudent 
fellow  to  come  in  with  his  hat  on,  and  gun  in  his 
hand,  thought  he  was  come  to  arrest  somebody,  and 
declared  she  was  never  so  shocked  in  her  life.  Neither 
the  Prince  or  the  General  could  pacify  her  or  make 
her  sensible  that  it  was  not  a direct  affront  to  her, 
“mais  qu’elle  ne  s’exposerait  plus  a des  telles  sur- 
prises ! 

Mann  complains  of  the  dullness  of  Florence  at 
this  time,  and  that  even  as  Minister,  he  has  little  to  do, 
but  he  was  vigilant : ‘ Mr.  Mill,’  he  says,  ‘ will  soon  be 
in  England  to  take  care  of  the  prizes  which  the  three 
great  Privateers  have  taken,  which,  according  to  our 
papers  (the  Evening  Post,  No.  240)  and  his  letters,  as 
well  as  those  from  Vienna,  are  of  an  immense  value. 
They  say  the  Emperor’s  share  is  .£100,000,  and  that  of 
Mill  £40,000,  besides  ^ more  which,  he  says,  he  shall 


270 


TEE  LADIES. 


1747. 


get  upon  the  agency  of  the  whole  prise.  All  this,  and 
that  the  ships  belong  to  the  Emperor,  Richecourt  and 
Mill  suppose  I know  nothing  of.’ 

Mann  reiterates  his  complaint  (Dec.  19th)  over  the 
dullness  of  the  Tuscan  city,  but  one  portion  of  his 
four-paged  letter  is  lively  enough : ‘ Everybody 

is  still  in  the  country,  so  that  one  does  not  know 
where  to  pass  the  evenings  in  the  week.  I have 
somehow  fallen  into  a new  set,  merely  for  want  of 
other  company ; Lorraine  Dames,  who  receive  each 
other  by  turns,  because  they  cannot  get  on  with  those 
of  the  country,  chi  non  le  vogliono.  Among  them, 
however,  is  a daughter  of  old  Mme.  Sarasin,  whose 
wig  you  must  remember.  This  new  comer  is  Comtesse 
Giovecourt,  a mighty  good  sort  of  woman,  and 
extremely  intimate  with  Richecourt,  whose  favour 
I lost  by  a Lady  ’ (Orford),  ‘ and  have  a chance  of 
regaining  it  by  another  ; so  whimsically  things  turn 
out. 

‘ Your  friend  the  Albizzi  has  been  long  ill  and 
still  in  danger  of  falling  into  a consumption.  The 
cause  of  her  malady  is  said  to  be  jealousy  of  Marquis 
Corsi,  of  whom  she  is  excessively  fond  ; but  he  is  too 
pretty,  too  young,  and  too  rich  to  be  constant.  He 
has  had  loves  with  a famous  dancer,  and  has  taken  an 
honour  which  an  English  Lord  of  our  acquaintance 
has  a greater  right  to  (but  you  must  not  say  a word  of 
this  to  Lord  Hobart)  ; but  what  hurt  Mme.  Albizzi 
most,  they  say,  was  jealousy  of  her  mother,  Madame 
Dini,  with  Corsi,  with  whom  he  passed  some  days 
alone  in  the  country ; therefore  you  must  not  be 
surprised  at  anything  of  this  nature. 


1747. 


RIVAL  SINGERS. 


2 71 


‘ Yon  have  heard  of  the  great  doings  at  Naples, 
and  the  rivalship  between  Caffarelli  and  Egiziello, 
which  luckily  did  not,  as  was  expected,  disturb  the 
festa.  Upon  Caffarelli’s  arrival  at  Naples,  Egiziello 
went  to  make  him  a visit,  and  was  received  by  that 
saucy  creature  upon  a stool,  where  he  sat  during  the 
whole  visit.  The  affair  was  made  up  by  mediators, 
and  afterwards  they  appeared  good  friends.’ 


272 


AN  ECCENTRIC  PEER. 


1748. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

1748. 

Mann  opens  the  year  1748  with  a sketch  of  an 
eccentric  English  peer,  Lord  Ashburnham  ; the  second 
Ear]  (1737-1812).  ‘He  despised  the  nobility  here 
because  they  did  not  adore  him,  and  naturally  was 
rampant  to  the  lower  rank,  to  obtain  homage.  I 
never  saw  his  pride  so  much  hurt  as  when  he  saw  the 
court  that  was  paid  to  a son  of  M.  D’Argenson.  His 
peerage  was  ready  to  burst.  Clark  continually  tickled 
him  with  dissertations  on  the  differences  between  an 
English  Peer  and  a little  frenchman.  You  know  to 
be  sure  that  he  did  not  go  to  Rome,  for  fear  of  being- 
seized  as  a hostage  for  the  Pretenders  son  who  was 
then  in  England ; though  the  real  secret  was  that 
Clark,  whose  brother  was  a footman  to  the  Pre- 
tender, did  not  choose  to  go  to  be  claimed  by  him. 
Basta  ! We  have  no  English  here  now  ; and  so  much 
the  better.  We  have  indeed  an  amphibious  creature 
who  causes  great  speculation.  It  is  the  famous  Mr. 
Mill,  who  is  known,  I am  told,  in  England,  by  the 
name  of  Mill  the  Projector.  Well  does  he  deserve 
that  name  here  ; for  he  has  filled  their  heads  with 
such  projects  that  will  either  ruin  them,  or  hurt  as 


1748. 


DEATH  OF  BINUNCINI. 


273 


much,  if  they  are  put  in  practice.  Hitherto,  I believe 
by  the  notices  I have  sent,  they  have  been  stopt,  but 
not  abandoned.  He  went  from  hence  lately  to  proceed 
to  England,  but  on  his  arrival  at  Vienna,  they  reflected 
on  the  dangers  he  might  be  exposed  to,  and  sent 
O’Kelly  in  his  stead.  Mill,  however,  is  very  civil  and, 
what  I believe  you  call,  a very  jolly  fellow.’ 

Eccentric  as  many  of  the  English  were  who 
sojourned  in  Florence  for  a time,  the  Florentines  them- 
selves furnished  some  strange  samples.  In  a long- 
letter  of  the  6th  February,  in  which  Mann  speaks  at 
great  length  of  his  illness,  he  passes  from  that  topic  to 
announce  the  death  of  the  Marchese  Einuncini,  ‘ who, 
from  being  tollerably,  was  seized  with  an  appoplexy, 
after  which  he  was  never  perfectly  in  his  senses,  and 
died  a few  days  after,  not  to  the  great  regret  of  his  son 
(Folco)  who,  however,  during  his  illness,  behaved 
extremely  well  and  distributed  great  charities,  as  is  the 
custom  in  like  cases  here.  He  gave  a large  quantity 
of  bread  to  all  the  poor  of  the  quarter,  GO  beds,  and 
released  many  poor  prisoners  for  debt,  besides  many 
things  of  the  like  nature.  The  body  was  exposed  with 
great  state  the  afternoon  before  it  was  buried,  which 
was  the  day  after  his  death  ; and  the  procession  from 
his  house  to  Santa  Croce  was  very  great.  His  will 
was  soon  opened,  but  it  was  made  so  judiciously  that 
people  cannot  judge  what  he  died  worth.  Some  of 
his  legacies  were  extraordinary : — to  his  daughter  in 
law  a piece  of  plate  worth  50  crowns,  and  the  choice 
of  a jewel ; to  his  two  sisters,  the  Baronessa  del  Nero, 
and  Mme.  Buondelmonte  50  crowns  each,  which  his 
son,  out  of  extraordinary  generosity,  doubled  ; so  that 
vor.  r. 


T 


274 


LENT. 


1748. 


they  have  £26,  5 shillings  sterling  each  ; to  his  dear 
wife,  an  exhortation,  at  the  death  of  her  mother,  to 
relinquish  the  300  crowns  a year  which  Casa  Rinun- 
cini  has  always  allowed  her  for  pin  money.  The  only 
thing  handsome  is  that,  besides  a small  sum  to  all  his 
servants,  he  obliges  his  son  to  pay  them  their  wages 
for  life ! 

‘ The  young  heir  has  not  yet  had  time  to  show 
himself,  nor  can  we  judge  yet  whether  his  excessive 
riches  will  make  him  as  good  an  oeconomist  as  his 
father.’ 

It  was  of  similar  samples  that  Boccacio  said,  ‘ V o 
ragionar  d’  un  Marchese,  non  cosa  magnifica  ! 5 

February  27th. — ‘We  have  but  very  few  hours 
more  of  Carnival ; to  make  the  most  of  them,  there 
has  been  an  Opera  this  morning  in  the  Via  della 
Pergola,  and  there  is  now  a ball  in  the  same  place 
which  will  last  till  morning  ; many  suppers  over  the 
town,  to  lay  in  as  much  grease  as  they  can  to  support 
the  maigre  of  Lent.  To-morrow  will  be  a vile  day, 
everybody  sleepy  and  fatigued  with  the  past  pleasures, 
though  they  cannot  bear  the  thoughts  of  their  being 
over,  and  of  the  dull  doings  of  Lent.  It  is  indeed 
a disagreeable  time,  but  I comfort  myself  with  the 
approaching  of  the  Spring;  how  many  thousands  there 
are  who  dread  it ! What  a good  work  the  Ministers  at 
Aix  would  do  to  prevent  the  slaughter  that  must 
otherwise  ensue. 

‘ The  weather  is  extravagant ; some  few  fine  days 
we  have  had  and  the  sun  hot ; but  this  morning  it 
snowed  plentifully  in  the  town,  and  it  is  excessive 

cold.  . . .’ 


1748. 


TEE  EX-KING  STANISLAUS. 


275 


March  5th. — c I got  as  far  as  this  last  tuesday, 
but  was  interrupted  by  visitors  who,  having  a strong- 
motive  for  not  appearing  at  the  theater,  made  a merit 
of  passing  their  evening  here.  0 the  Seccatori ! (bores) 
and,  would  you  believe  it  ? no  sooner  were  these  words 
out  of  my  pen  than  I receive  a message  from  the 
Generale  and  Generaiessa  Salin,  to  tell  me  they  will 
come  here  to  prevent  me  writing  too  much,  which 
they  know  must  hurt  me.  ...  You  wonder  at  my 
taking  to  Lorrainers  ; they  took  to  me ; but  really 
they  are  more  sensible  than  the  Italians.  The  latter 
will  come  to  a festa  in  crowds,  but  you  must  re- 
member there  is  no  Society  among  them.’ 

‘ . . . I can  tell  you  a secret,  that  the  Princess 
will  certainly  carry  the  Prince  soon  to  his  native 
country  (France),  after  which  they  both  sigh,  “ Nescio 
qua  natale  solum”  etc. — and  besides  the  many  motives 
of  disgust  they  have  here,  King  Stanislaus  ’ (the  ex- 
King  of  Poland,  residing  at  Nancy)  ‘ courts  them 
extremely.  The  Abbess  of  some  place,  a daughter  of 
this  Prince,  died  lately  of  the  small  pox,  and  K. 
Stanislaus  of  his  own  motion  ferreted  out  a very 
distant  cousin  to  give  that  post  to.  He  wrote  to  the 
Prince  about  it  with  his  own  hand:  “ Faites  moy  la 
confiance;  si  vous  avez  quelque  Batard  dans  ce  pais 
afin  que  je  lui  puisse  faire  du  bien.  Venez,  venez, 
nous  vivrons  ensemble.”  But  how  will  the  Princess 
bear  his  horrid  pipe  ? — which  he  must  smoak  to  the 
end  of  his  life.1 

Walpole  used  to  mock  our  English  Summer  as 
setting  in  with  its  usual  severity.  The  Spring  in 
Italy  was  equally  severe.  On  the  25th  March,  Mann 


276 


FIRE  ON  BOARD  SHIP. 


1748. 


tells  him  : ‘ It  snows  almost  every  clay  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Florence  ; and,  on  the  mountains ; to  get 
to  us,  they  talk  of  the  mountains  being  many  braces 
high  (sic).  This  makes  it  impossible  for  some  English, 
as  Mr.  Brownlow,  etc.,  to  venture  that  way,  though 
they  are  in  haste  to  get  to  England.  Tell  Mr.  Chute 
this,  as  he  loves  that  harmonious  little  man,  and  will 
be  glad  to  see  and  hear  him  play  in  England.’ 

‘ . . . A horrid  accident  happened  at  Leghorn  by 
an  English  merchant  ship  taking  fire  in  the  Mole 
amidst  above  200  other  ships.  The  consternation  was 
equal  to  the  dreadful  consequences  that  were  expected. 
Mr.  Harvey  was  the  lucky  instrument  to  prevent  them 
by  a resolution,  as  judicious  as  it  was  courageous,  and 
the  only  one  that  could  succeed.  He  returned  imme- 
diately to  his  ship,  manned  his  boats,  and  whilst  he 
himself  was  cutting  the  cables  of  the  ship  that  was 
burning,  the  powder  room  took  fire,  but  luckily  the 
quantity  of  powder  was  not  great,  neither  did  the 
cannons  (16),  which  fired  as  they  grew  hot,  do  any 
harm,  so  that  he  towed  the  ship  out  to  sea.  He,  by 
this  gallant  action,  merited  the  thanks  of  everybody. 
Every  one  pressed  to  him  to  express  their  acknowledg- 
ments ; the  Governor  went  in  person,  and  yesterday  I 
read  a message  from  the  Council  to  desire  me  to 
convey  them  thanks  to  him,  and  to  tell  me  they  would 
acquaint  the  Emperor  with  the  signal  service  he  had 
done.’ 

‘ The  Emperor  has  lately  sent  orders  to  continue  the 
Process  against  the  Signori  that  embezzled  the  corn  of 
the  publick  granary,  and  who  have  been  ever  since  in 
the  Fortress ; their  vast  Parentado  expected  a milder 


1748. 


CARDINAL  ALBANI. 


277 


fate  ; poor  Madame  Borgkerini  whose  father  and  hus- 
band are  both  equally  concerned,  fainted  t’other  day 
when  this  notice  was  given  her,  though  the  last  had 
employed  a Jesuit  to  carry  her  the  news  with  all  the 
precautions  imaginable.’ 

In  the  letter  of  April  9th,  Mann  enters  into  exten- 
sive details  as  to  his  fruitless  applications  for  his 
arrears  of  pay.  The  receipt  of  each  application  is 
acknowledged,  and  its  justice  allowed,  but  nothing 
further  is  done,  he  says, — not  even  by  ‘ the  person’ 
whom  Mann  evidently  remunerated  in  order  to  keep 
his  grievance  before  the  Foreign  Secretary.  £Basta! 
I can  do  no  more  !’ — and  he  then  chronicles  the  doings 
at  Borne  and  in  Florence  £ I cannot  in  the  least 
tell  why,  but  the  Pretender  is  retiring ; if  this  means 
anything,  it  does  him  honour. 

£ Cardinal  Albani  has  been  honourably  dismissed 
from  meddling  with  the  Queen’s  affairs  at  Borne.  She 
wrote  to  him  to  thank  him  for  his  past  services  and 
accompanied  it  with  a rich  cross  of  Malta  set  with 
Diamonds,  and  to  soften  the  matter  still  more,  the 
Emperor  has  declared  him  Corn-Protector  (sic)  of  the 
Empire  and  of  the  Hereditary  States  of  the  Queen. 
Cardinal  Mellini  has  been  appointed  her  Minister 
Plenipotentiary  with,  I believe,  all  the  Salary.  The 
Cardinal  (Albani)  is  excessively  mortified,  though,  he 
does  not  own  it  in  his  letters  to  me.  He  is  vastly 
employed  about  his  nephew’s  marriage  with  the  second 
Princess  of  Massa  and  pleases  himself  with  the  prospect 
of  that  Estate  coming  to  his  family.  The  Sposa  passed 
by  here  last  week.  Princess  Craon  made  a mighty 
fuss  with  her  puzza  di  Altezza,  as  they  say  here  ; but 


278 


CASA  CBAON. 


1748. 


as  she  had  no  pretensions  to  deny  the  pas  to  our 
Princess,  every  tiling  passed  off  mighty  well  and  she 
had  an  epuisement,  neither  before  or  after,  such  as  your 
Princess  of  Modena  gave  her  by  refusing  her  the  right 
hand.’ 

May  7th. — ‘Every  body  is  grown  stupid  here.  . . . 
Even  scandal  seems  to  be  banished  from  Pannoni’s 
(coffee  house)  which  was  the  only  tiling  diverting 
that  I ever  heard  it  produce.  . . . Unless  there  be  a 
theatre  open  Florence  is,  to  be  sure,  the  most  unsociable 
place  in  the  world.  One  must  either  be  alone  or  in  a 
crowd.  Casa  Craon  is  no  longer  any  resource.  It  is 
so  eclypsed  that  one  never  meets  any  body  there  but 
an  odd  set  of  folks  who  resort  there  merely  for  the 
convenience  of  Cards,  and  Candles  to  play  at  Minchiate, 
for  scratches  ; though,  at  the  Old  Palace,  there  are 
crowds  on  publick  days. 

‘We  are  expecting  the  famous  Mrs.  Morehead  ’ 
(one  of  the  ladies  who  congratulated  him  in  England, 
on  the  appointment  which  established  him  at  Florence). 
‘ It  is  possible  she  may  cause  some  diversion.  Her 
history  you  may  have  heard,  and  how  she  got  into 
a great  Estate  that  belonged  to  a Mr.  Hunt  who  died 
in  her  company  at  Paris,  and  for  whom  she  put  on 
weeds  on  her  return.  . . . She  travels,  I hear,  with 
great  magnificence,  and  is  thought  a great  lady,  which 
I must  not  contradict.’ 

For  five  weeks  Mann  was  at  the  Baths  of  Pisa. 
He  thought  his  ‘clear  child’  must  be  as  interested  as 
himself  in  his  ailments,  and  he  never  fails  to  describe 
the  most  minute  particulars.  However,  at  the  Baths, 
Mann  recovered  health  and  strength  : ‘ 1 found  only 


1748. 


POPE,  PRIEST,  AND  EMPEROR. 


279 


one  inconvenience  there,’  he  writes  (July  2nd),  ‘ which 
was  the  number  of  visits  I received  daily  from  Leghorn, 
so  that  should  I have  it  in  my  power  to  return  them 
next  season,  I am  resolved  to  fix  some  rule  with  regard 
to  that  article,  and  appoint  two  days  in  the  week  to 
receive  the  Leghorn  Gentry.’  Richecourt  had  some 
stake  at  Pisa,  and  thinking  the  English  Minister’s  visit 
and  recovery  would  give  a fashion  to  the  waters  and 
the  place,  ‘ he  has  promised,’  says  Mann,  c to  put  me 
into  the  book  which  Doctor  Cocclii  is,  by  order, 
writing  about  them.  Next  to  the  Pope’s  Neice,  a 
Nun  who  went  there  last  season,  I expect  to  make 
the  best  figure.’ 

c We  have  the  famous  Mrs.  Morehead  here,’ 
(Florence)  ‘ whom  I must  pass  off  for  a Dama  of  con- 
dition, since  she  has  passed  in  Lorraine  and  France  on 
that  foot ; but  some  ill-natured  people  have  whispered 
her  story,  and  I wish  it  does  not  make  an  eclat.  She 
dines  here  to-morrow  with  all  the  rest.’ 

On  July  23rd,  after  a description  of  how  he  was 
repairing  and  beautifying  his  villa  to  the  general 
admiration,  Mann  relates  a very  pretty  quarrel  between 
Pope,  Priest,  and  Emperor  : — ‘ An  odd  affair  has  hap- 
pened here,  of  which  I must  give  you  a little  account, 
as  it  employs  the  attention  of  every  body  and  may 
have  consequences.  About  a year  ago,  the  Abbe 
Dumesnil,  brother  to  the  Major  of  that  name,  an 
intimate  friend  and  confidant  of  the  Court,  wras,  on 
that  account,  nominated  to  the  Bishoprick  of  Yolterra. 
He  w7as,  by  accident,  making  a visit  at  the  Archbishop 
of  Pisa’s,  when  he  met  Senator  Ruccellaj,  with  whom 
some  little  dispute  arose,  and  though  by  the  insolence 


280 


POPE  AXD  BISHOP. 


1748. 


of  the  Abbe  some  harsh  words  were  interchanged,  yet 
they  separated  in  appearance  with  civility.  Dumesnil, 
however,  reflecting  on  his  future  grandeur  in  the 
Church,  thought  this  was  a good  opportunity  to  give 
proofs  of  his  zeal  for  it,  and  with  this  view  began  to 
accumulate  accusations  against  Ruccellaj,  as  an  enemy 
to  the  Church  ; and  he  insisted  with  great  haughtiness, 
that  he  should  be  removed  from  his  employment  as 
Auditor  of  the  Jurisdizione  (an  employment  which 
obliges  him  to  defend  the  Great  Duke’s  right  against 
the  encroachments  of  the  Priests).  The  Regency  did 
not  think  it  at  all  necessary  to  comply  with  Dumesnil’s 
demand  . . . and  the  Archbishop  of  Pisa,  and  others 
present  at  the  quarrel,  were  totally  on  the  side  of 
the  Ruceellajs.  Dumesnil  therefore  resolved  to  go  to 
Vienna,  to  smash,  as  he  said,  that  heretic  and  enemy 
of  the  Church  of  God.  The  Regency  forbid  him 
moving  from  Florence,  but  he  escaped  with  the  horses 
and  servants  of  the  Duke  Salviati,  who,  it  is  supposed, 
likewise  furnished  him  with  money.  The  Emperor 
refused  to  listen  to  the  angry  Abbe  who  forthwith 
scattered  maledictions  and  departed  for  Rome,  where 
the  Pope  consecrated  him  Bishop  of  Volterra.  Pope 
and  Bishop  soon  fell  out,  and  unclean  words  passed 
between  them.  The  prelate  made  his  escape  on  hear- 
ing that  the  Pontiff  was  about  to  lock  him  up,  and  he 
entered  Volterra,  preceded  by  his  valet  de  chambre, 
who  cried  out,  “ Ecco  ! il  vostro  vescovo  ! ” and  ex- 
horted the  people  to  receive  him  with  respect.  The 
Bishop  followed,  throwing  money  and  benedictions  to 
the  crowd ; but  no  one  did  him  honour,  and  nobody 
assisted  at  his  installation  but  his  valet.  In  his  wrath 


1748. 


INDISCRETION. 


281 


ho  excommunicated  the  town  and  galloped  off  to 
Florence,  where  he  was  at  once  seized  and  clapt  into 
prison.’ 

Soon  after  this  event,  all  Florence  was  in  com- 
motion at  a scandal  which  had  its  source  in  Mann’s 
pretty  garden.  £ A certain  Countess  Ubaldini,’  (says 
Mann,  August  23rcl)  £ who  for  her  pranks  had  been 
banished  the  Pope’s  States,  sauntering  through  one 
of  the  obscurely-illuminated  side  walks,  discovered 
Signora  Bocckaneri  and  Count  Acciajuoli  in  such 
loving  intercourse,  that  she  not  only  watched  the  un- 
conscious lovers  herself,  but  beckoned  others  to  draw 
near  and  be  spectators.  This  indiscreet  practicer  of 
££  pranks  ” that  made  her  even  too  bad  for  Pome  to 
tolerate,  hired  a Guardo  Nobile  to  illustrate  the  inci- 
dent in  an  impertinent  sonnet.’  Both  were  spoken  of 
at  an  Assembly  at  Prince  Craon’s,  and,  the  next 
morning,  it  was  asserted  that  Mann  had  written  the 
lines  and  repeated  them  aloud  to  the  visitors.  The 
fury  of  the  Florentine  husbands  was  only  exceeded  by 
that  of  them  wives.  They  were  not  to  be  appeased  till 
Mann  explained  and  asserted  the  honour  of  his  garden 
as  a locality  where  no  gentleman  would  presume  to 
kiss  a lady,  in  a side  walk.  For  some  time,  the  safety 
of  ladies  in  the  enchanted  groves  wras  not  thought  to 
be  sufficiently  warranted.  £ Would  you  believe  it,  a 
very  great  Dama,  who  is  Grandmother  to  children  of 
14,  told  me,  with  a languishing  voice,  that  really,  till 
some  publick  disapprobation  was  shown,  she  could  not 
venture  for  fear  they  should  say  the  same  things  of 
her  ! ’ Ultimately,  the  author  and  the  disperser  of 
copies  of  the  sonnetyvere  found  out  and  banished  for 


282 


THE  CARDINAL  OF  YORK. 


1748. 


six  months.  Both  were  in  the  Noble  Guard.  Mann 
then  gave  a concert  in  his  garden,  but  insulting  pla- 
cards were  affixed  to  his  gates,  to  shame  the  nobili  who 
allowed  their  wives  to  attend.  The  Minister  resolved 
that  he  would  cease  to  open  his  grounds  to  the  world 
generally  uninvited,  and  only  receive  guests  there  by 
private  invitation. 

On  the  above  social  trait  Mann  writes  with  even 
more  than  his  usual  profuseness,  but  after  the  serious 
triviality,  there  comes  an  interesting  historic  person- 
age : — £ The  Cardinal  13 ’Oreo,  either  out  of  Devotion, 
or  from  a desire  to  get  some  rich  bishoprick,  has 
determined  to  take  Priest’s  Orders,  which  the  Pope 
has  consented  to  with  reluctance  ; fearing,  I supposej 
that  there  may  be  occasion  for  his  getting  heirs  to 
the  crown  of  England.  He  has  already  begun  the 
progress  of  Sub-Deacon’s  Orders,  and  is  to  be  a com- 
pleat  Priest,  the  first  of  September,  and  is  to  say  his 
first  Mass,  the  8 th,  in  his  own  Chappel,  being  the 
Virgin’s  Birthday,  when  his  father  is  to  receive  the 
body  of  her  son  from  his  hands.’ 

On  September  3rd,  Mann  writes : — ‘ The  Cardinal 
D’Orck  advances  a-pace  in  Priesthood.  He  has  re- 
ceived all  the  inferior  orders,  and  is  to  be  a compleat 
Priest  in  a few  days.  His  brother  is  furious  and 
declares  he  will  never  see  him.’  A passage  in  a subse- 
quent long  letter,  crammed  with  mere  political  reports, 
tells  us  further  of  Henry  Stuart : — ‘ The  Cardinal  is 
all  devotion.  He  fasts  and  prays  as  much  as  his 
mother  used  to  do,  and  they  say,  has  ruined  his  con- 
stitution already.  Did  you  ever  hear  of  a hon  mot  of 
the  Duke  de  Richelieu’s  when  he  was  at  Dunkirk, 


1748. 


AN  AFFECTIONATE  WIFE. 


283 


preparing  for  the  embarkation.  A Council  was  to  be 
held,  and  they  waited  only  for  the  second  son  who 
was  at  his  prayers.  On  his  coming,  the  Duke  de 
Richelieu  told  him  publickly  that  he  might,  perhaps, 
by  prayers,  gain  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven,  but  never 
the  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain.’  The  anger  of  Charles 
Edward  at  his  brother  becoming  an  ecclesiastic  was 
not  soon  appeased.  Some  weeks  after  the  above  letter, 
Mann  writes  : — ‘ We  have  heard  of  all  the  obstinacies 
of  the  Pretender’s  son,  and  the  effects  that  they  have 
produced.  The  next  thing  we  expect  to  hear  is  his 
being  arrived  at  Bologna,  where  it  is  believed  he  will 
fix,  till  he  can  get  over  his  aversion  to  Rome  and  bear 
the  sight  of  his  Cardinal  brother,  by  seeing  the  Legate. 
His  arrest  at  Paris  makes  a great  noise.- — Adieu,  here 
are  all  the  English  to  be  presented  to  your  Princess.’ 
September  3rd. — ‘ Mr.  Forrester  who  travels  with 
Lord  Annandale  convinced  the  Princess  of  the  great 
love  and  regard  his  wife  had  for  him,  by  the  pains  and 
troubles  she  took  to  correct  him,  whenever  she  thought 
lie  deserved  it.  “ Comment  vous  corriger  ? ” — “ Oui, 
Madame,  par  des  coups  de  baton.” — which  were  no 
equivocal  proof  of  her  affection  and  desire  to  amend 
him,  and  for  which  he  always  owned  he  was  more 
sensibly  obliged  than  if  she  had  not  thought  him 
worth  her  resentment.  . . .’ 

Thursday. — c I omitted  to  give  my  usual  Assembly, 
and  I had  the  satisfaction  to  hear  that  it  displeased 
greatly.  I was  glad  however  of  an  opportunity  that 
offered  to  give  one  to  the  Countess  Acciajuoli  for  a 
foreign  lady  she  serves.  It  was  by  invitation,  with 
the  exclusion  of  all  those  who  deserved  it.  The 


284 


31  ANN’S  STATE-DINNERS. 


1748. 


Ladies  were  exactly  80  ; the  men  out  of  all  proportion 
even  of  three  to  one,  which  is  the  common  calculation. 
It  was  really  handsome,  and  I have  finished  with 
eclat  for  the  season.’ 

September  5th. — £ I had  great  company  yesterday 
at  dinner,  Prince  Craon,  Prince  Beauvau,’  (his  son) 

£ Count  Richecourt,  the  Pandolfinis  (the  eldest  son 
has  become  Count,  and  Secretary  of  State  to  the 
Regency).  But  besides  this,  with  other  great  company, 
the  Princesse  elle-meme  honoured  my  table.  So  soon 
as  I heard  she  was  in  town,  I went  to  the  Opera  to 
her  to  invite  her,  when  she  told  me  she  had  already 
determined  to  surprize  me.  It  was  no  small  affair  to 
adjust  things  for  her,  hut  everything  succeeded  very 
well ; we  were  twelve  at  table  ; and  I expect  to  see 
in  the  gazzettes  that  the  Ministro  d’Inghilterra  diede 
tanto  pranzo,  as  was  mentioned  some  little  time  ago, 
on  a much  less  occasion,  to  8 English  captains.  The 
only  secret  is  to  add  one  or  two  of  the  country  to 
make  it  talked  of ; and  then  they  thank  you  so  much 
for  all  favours  that  one  would  think  one  had  saved 
them  from  starving.’ 

The  Peace  of  Aix  la  Chapelle  gave  a little  breathing 
time  to  Europe.  Its  terms  formed  a sort  of  Epigram 
on  the  folly,  wickedness,  and  uselessness  of  war ; for 
the  contracting  parties  fell  back  nearly  into  the  posi- 
tions they  occupied  before  war  was  declared.  On  Oct. 
11th,  Mann  writes  : — £ They  say  the  Peace  is  arrived 
at  Genoa  and  in  Lombardy,  though  that  is  all  we 
have  heard  of  it.  The  situation  of  the  combatants 
seems  to  be  like  that  of  the  Italian  Limbo,  which 
nobody  understands  and  which  at  least  is  doubtful.’ 


1748. 


THE  FRENCH  IN  GENOA. 


285 


‘ The  Austrians  and  Piedmontese  are  endeavouring 
to  make  the  most  of  the  States  they  are  to  abandon. 
The  Spaniards  are  doing  the  same  in  Savoy,  by 
exacting  vast  contributions.  The  French  are  dancing 
and  singing  at  Genoa,  not  much  to  the  diversion  of 
the  inhabitants,  who  are  for  the  most  part  excluded 
from  the  Opera  they  have  made,  act,  sing,  and  dance 
themselves.  Even  the  Orchestra  is  all  of  French 
officers  ; no  mercenaries  are  admitted  to  this  perfor- 
mance, except  the  woemen, — French,  for  the  parts  in 
the  Opera,  and  Italian  for  the  dances.  I have  read 
the  Piece,  but  don’t  well  know  what  it  is  about ; there 
are  so  many  Gods  and  Goddesses,  Rivers,  Geniis,  etc., 
that  interrupt  the  little  story,  that  were  it  worth 
attending  to,  one  should  with  difficulty  follow  it.  Le 
Genie  de  la  France  says  in  the  Prologue,  “ que  Louis 
lie  punit  ses  ennemis,  qui  tremblent,  qu’en  les  con- 
damnant  au  repos  ! ” The  French  and  Genoese  are 
vastly  tired  of  each  other.  Whenever  the  former  retire 
it  is  highly  probable  that  the  populace  of  Genoa  will 
rise  again  against  the  nobility  and  (though  not  with 
that  view)  revenge  the  Queen’s  (Maria  Theresa’s) 
quarrel  better  than  her  army  has  known  how  to 
do  it. 

‘.  . . An  odd  accident  has  happened  here.  In  the 
last  week  a person  arrived  who  announced  himself  at 
the  Gates  and  to  Marquis  Riccardi,  under  the  name 
and  title  of  Milord  Richard  Onslow,  fils  de  l’Orateur 
de  la  Chambre  basse,  Duke  of  Kingston,  and  as  such 
introduced  to  all  the  Ladies.  I did  not  see  him  for 
some  days,  as  he  avoided  me,  but  Marquis  Riccardi 
insisted  upon  it  that  he  was  exactly  such  as  he  had 


286 


AN  IMPOSTOR. 


1748. 


announced  liimself.  I made  it  plainly  appear  that  it 
could  not  be  ; to  which  he  answered  “Certo!  si, 
Signore  ! ” but  being  resolved  to  see  him,  I went  into 
Mme.  Galli’s  box.  The  first  thing  he  said  was,  that 
he  was  very  much  sorry  that  he  had  not  met  me  at 
home.  His  accent  was  very  foreign ; he  left  me  too 
soon  to  enquire  into  his  family.  I told  the  company, 
however,  that  he  was  not  an  Englishman,  which  they 
seemed  to  smile  at  and  totally  disbelieve.  The  next 
night  I met  him  at  Count  Capponi’s,  whose  daughter 
was  marrying  Marquis  Torreziani.  I then  took  him 
aside  to  question  him,  when  he  persisted  in  the  same 
idle  story  of  being  the  Speaker’s  son,  who  being  a 
Lord,  he  would  call  himself  so,  too.  I grew  very 
angry,  and  lie  vastly  confused,  begging  I would  defer 
all  further  explanation  till  the  next  morning,  when 
he  would  show  me  letters  to  justify  himself.  I told 
him  that  was  cpiite  unnecessary,  as  what  he  had  said 
was  sufficient  to  convince  me,  and  that  I would  imme- 
diately tell  Prince  Craon  and  Count  Richecourt,  who 
were  then  present,  that  Marquis  Riccardi  had  presented 
him  to  them,  with  a title  he  had  no  pretentions  to. 
The  thing  soon  made  much  noise,  and  he  went  away 
with  Riccardi  as  soon  as  he  could ; — complained  to  him 
of  me,  and  threatened  that  I should  soon  be  brought 
to  know  the  English  Nobility  better. 

‘ I had  a violent  dispute  with  Riccardi  at  the 
Opera  afterwards,  as  he  persisted  still  to  assert  that 
he  was  a Lord,  and  said  so  many  absurdities  to 
support  it,  that  in  presence  of  many  people  I told 
him  that  I might  have  expected  such  a discourse 
from  an  Indian  ‘ but  not  from  one  who  had  resided  in 


1748. 


A SUICIDE. 


287 


England  in  a publick  character.  In  short,  the  whole 
company  was  vastly  diverted,  and  I told  him  that  if 
his  Lord  was  wise  he  would  run  away  that  night. 

‘The  next  morning  we  heard  he  had  set  out  on 
foot  from  his  auberge,  since  which  we  have  billy 
heard  that  he  is  gone  towards  Rome,  in  order,  as  is 
most  probable,  to  receive  the  money  from  Belloni,  for 
which  he  had  forged  himself  credit  by  imitating  the 
hands  of  Pictet,  Walthers  and  Mr.  Salvini  at  Paris,  as 
appears  by  his  papers  which  the  Fiscal  has  examined 
and  brought  to  me.  I have  not  seen  then  all,  but 
shall  to-morrow.  He  had  four  servants  with  laced 
liveries,  who  have  been  stripped  this  afternoon.  His 
cloaths  are  to  be  sold  to  pay  the  few  debts  he  has 
contracted  here  ; but  the  Bankers  at  Marseilles,  Lions, 
Geneva,  etc.,  must  lose  all  they  have  given  him.  We 
have  found  that  his  name  is  Daniel  Bets,  or  something- 
like  it,  and  that  he  is  either  a Dutch  man  or  flamand/ 

In  the  letters  of  the  13th  November  there  is  a 
long  narrative  which  refers  to  the  Droit  d’Aubaine, 
by  which  the  goods  of  a foreigner,  dying  sud- 
denly, were  forfeited  to  the  State.  A young  English- 
man, unnamed,  committed  suicide  at  Leghorn.  ‘ The 
young  fellow,’  says  Mann,  c had  been  long  enough  in 
Italy  to  purge  off  the  English  spleen  which  made  him 
cut  his  throat.’  However,  the  English  Consul  took 
charge  of  his  effects,  and  the  Council  of  Regency  at 
Florence  laid  loud  and  violent  claim  to  them  on  behalf 
of  the  Emperor.  Goldworthy,  prompted  by  Mann, 
refused  to  surrender  the  property.  Prince  Craon  had 
in  Council  asserted  the  Emperor’s  jurisdiction.  Mann 
met  the  Prince  at  dinner,  and  explained  his  objections 


288 


THE  YOUNG  GIBES  AT  GENEVA. 


174-8. 


to  the  assertion  then  made : ‘ Well,  well ! 5 replied  the 
weak  old  Regent,  ' reckon  that  I said  nothing  at  all 
about  it.5  And -the  poor  fellow’s  property  was  saved 
to  his  heirs. 

By  December  13th,  there  was  a ‘young  fellow  ’ of 
higher  rank  on  his  way  to  Italy,  namely,  Lord 
Walpole,  the  Earl  of  Orford’s  son.  c I shall  be  vastly 
glad  to  see  him,5  says  Mann,  * but  they  write  me  that 
he  is  to  fix  for  some  time  at  Geneva.  In  some 
respects,  I don’t  like  that  place  for  him.  There  are, 
I am  told,  many  young  girls  who  set  up  for  conquests, 
and  whom  our  young  people  think  vastly  genteel  and 
amiable  because  they  are  the  first  foreign  woemen  they 
are  permitted  ..to  be  free  with.  ...  I should  dread 
Lord  Walpole’s  having  any  strong  engagement  there 
where  there  is  not  the  bar  of  Religion  to  prevent  the 
only  bad  consequences  to  one  in  his  situation.5  As 
Mann  constantly  remarks,  the  entertaining  of  English 
visitors  to  Florence,  who  came  with  letters  of  intro- 
duction, added  greatly  to  his  expenses,  and  he  adds  : 

£ I can  hear  nothing  of  my  great  arrears,  nor  would 
there,  I believe,  be  any  likelihood  of  their  listening  to 
me,  if  I was  to  apply  for  an  encrease  of  character 
— from  Minister  to  Ambassador. 5 


289 


i749.  THE  YOUNG  PEE  TENDER. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

1749. 

The  new  year  opens  with,  an  old  complaint.  ‘ I am 
going  to  pay  my  Court  to  the  Princess/  Mann  writes 
on  the  23rd  January,  ‘going  with  most  of  the  English, 
whom  I am  to  present.  Oh,  the  number  of  English ! 
I am  absolutely  ruined  in  feasting  them.  Prince 
Craon  has  announced  to  me,  that  his  son-in-law,  M.  de 
Mirepoix,  is  going  Ambassadour  to  England,  and 
Madame  will  accompany  him.  Her  brother  Prince 
Beauvau  will  certainly  take  that  opportunity  of 
gratifying  his  inclination  to  see  England  every  year, 
as  the  Prince  told  me.' 

January  31s£. — ‘Our  Italy  has  talked  a great 
deal  of  the  young  Pretender’s  Imprisonment  at  Vin- 
cennes. The  manner  of  his  being  seized  displeased 
the  Craons  and  Richecourt  extremely.  Rome  talks 
no  w much  of  his  being  at  Avignon,  and  would  be  glad 
to  induce  him  to  leave  it.  The  Pope  assembled  his 
Cardinals  last  Tuesday, — Buffo,  Passionei,  Valenti, 
Riviera,  and  Lanti,  to  consult  about  it.  They  deter- 
mined that  soft  insinuations  and  amiable  remonstrances 
should  be  made  to  hint,  with  the  offer  of  the  choice 
of  any  City  in  the  Ecclesiastical  States  of  Italy,  for 
yol.  t.  u 


290 


RESIGNATION  OF  PRINCE  OR  AON.  1749. 


bis  residence ; but,  in  case  this  method  failed,  it  was 
resolved  at  the  same  time,  to  expose  the  town  of 
Avignon  to  any  violence  which  the  resentment  of 
France  might  dictate  rather  than  to  use  forcible 
means  to  drive  him  from  thence.  So  we  may  prob- 
ably see  a new  scene,  as  the  young  man's  behaviour 
does  not  seem  to  denote  that  persuasions  will  operate 
much.  May  one  suppose,  however,  that  France  will 
think  itself  obliged  to  trouble  itself  any  further  about 
him,  or  to  quarrel  with  the  Pope,  for  our  sake  ? ’ 

February  7th. — ‘ Prince  Craon  has  received  his 
conge  and  withall  so  gracious  that  the  poor  man 
almost  forgets  the  angherie  that  made  him  ask  it. 
The  Emperor  invites  him  and  the  Princess  to  take 
Vienna  in  their  way,  has  given  him  a thousand 
zecchins  for  his  journey,  and  has  assigned  them  a 
pension  of  as  much,  for  their  life.  The  Florentines  are 
amazed  at  all  this,  and  the  Lorrainers  think  it  a great 
deal.  The  Princess  looks  pleased  indeed,  but  I dare 
say  she  thinks  it  a poor  reward  for  the  signal  services 
she  has  rendered  to  the  House  of  Lorraine  for  70  years. 
I whisper  this  only,  for  really  every  one  who  sees  her 
would  abate  20  at  least.  She  declares,  however,  that 
she  must  turn  an  old  woman  in  Lorraine,  in  the  midst 
of  all  her  Grand-children.  However,  I think  she  may 
displace  Madame  cle  Boufflers,  her  daughter,  who  is 
the  great  favourite  of  King  Stanislaus,  if  she  will  but 
take  to  smoaking  a little ; at  least  if  she  will  bear  his 
pipe. 

‘Adieu.  It  strikes  12  at  night ; for  all  our  clocks, 
by  order  of  the  Court,  have  been  put  alia  francese, 
which  confounds  the  Florentines,  extremely.’ 


1749.  MOVEMENTS  OF  THE  YOUNG  CHEVALIER.  291 


March  8 th. — ‘Rome  makes  a fuss  about  the  Young 
Pretender  at  Avignon.  Is  be  to  remain  there  ? . . . 
I think  he  is  much  more  out  of  the  way  there  than  at 
Rome,  where  it  is  all  chance  if  one  discovers  anything. 
Avignon  is  no  passage,  nor  is  there  any  call  for 
strangers,  a prohibition  might  even  be  given  without 
prejudice,  consequently,  all  who  do  go  there  might 
easily  be  known.  He  has  lately  sent  a Mr.  Lockart 
to  Rome  to  sollicit  money  of  the  Pope,  who  swears 
he  will  give  him  none.  That  person,  in  appearance, 
has  no  commission  to  the  father,  from  which  one  is 
to  suppose  they  are  still  at  variance.  O’Brien,  now 
called  Lord  Lechmere,  has  lately  received  the  Grand 
Cordon  Rouge,  from  France,  and  at  the  same  time 
the  news  of  his  wife  being  banished  to  a certain 
distance  from  Paris.  Tencin  and  others  of  that  Cabal 
used  to  meet  at  her  house,  and  she  is  supposed  to  have 
discovered  their  secrets  to  Spain  during  the  Congress, 
with  which  she  mixed  their  complaints  of  M.  Sotto 
Mayor,  by  which  means  she  has  lost  her  pension,  and 
the  favour  of  the  Court  of  France/ 

March  21  st. — ‘ The  Young  Pretender  left  Avignon 
in  a very  misterious  manner,  on  the  night  of  the  25th, 
with  only  one  person,  after  having  feigned  being  ill, 
the  better  to  conceal  his  departure.  He  took  the 
route  of  Dauphine  which  is  all  we  know,  hitherto. 
Do  you  think  we  shall  hear  of  him  from  Berlin,  or 
Scotland,  first  1 I have  seen  in  our  papers  that  orders 
had  been  sent  into  Scotland  for  regulating  the  Patroles 
and  Guards  in  the  mountains.  This  was  previous  to 
his  departure  from  Avignon,  and  looks  as  if  they  had 
been  informed  of  it,  or  at  least  suspected  some  motion 


292 


TEE  JACOBITES. 


1749. 


there  in  his  favour.  At  Rome,  some  say  that  he  is 
gone  to  treat  of  a marriage  for  himself.  Others  that 
he  is  gone  only  to  some  private  place,  to  treat  with 
people  who  were  afraid  to  go  to  him ; consequently, 
that  something  of  great  importance  is  in  agitation.’ 

April  18 th. — ‘All  the  news  I have  to  send  you  of 
Italy  is,  that  the  Pope  is  totally  employed  in  cleansing 
his  churches  and  making  Bulls  for  the  regulation  of 
the  Anno  Santo,  in  order  to  draw  as  many  strangers  as 
he  can  to  Rome.  The  King  and  Queen  of  Naples, 
they  say,  will  he  there,  and  some  say  that  the  King 
of  Portugal  will  gratify  his  curiosity  and  devotion 
in  the  like  manner.  I can’t  however  believe  it 
yet. 

‘ We  are  totally  ignorant  of  the  motions  of  the 
Pretender’s  son.  So  many  reports  are  spread  that  one 
is  totally  at  a loss  what  to  believe.  Most  people  agree 
that  lie  has  been  privately  to  Paris  to  make  a visit  to 
the  Princesse  de  Talmont  (?)  a Poland  (sic)  and  one  of 
the  Queen’s  ladies  who  took  his  part  when  he  was 
arrested  and  sent  to  Vincennes.  They  say  that  she 
has  treated  a match  for  him  in  Poland,  where  some 
suppose  now  he  is  gone ; others  say  he  is  gone  to 
Sweden,  others  to  Berlin.  Some  believe  that  he  will 
soon  be  again  at  Avignon,  where  his  family  equipages 
and  even  the  table  is  kept,  as  if  they  expected  him 
daily.  Then  they  say  he  is  to  come  into  Italy,  to 
Bologna  or  Ferrara.  He  has  obliged  his  father  to 
send  away  O’Brien  (whom  they  call  Lord  Lechmere) 
who  was  to  have  left  Rome  a few  days  ago,  because 
the  son  would  have  no  confidence  or  communication 
with  the  father,  so  long  as  that  person  was  entrusted 


] 749. 


OPENING  LETTERS. 


294 


by  him.  O’Brien’s  wife  is  in  France,  but  was  sent  from 
Paris,  by  order  of  the  Court,  some  time  ago. 

‘ The  new  Duke  of  Parma  has  disgusted  all  his 
new  subjects.  He  is  so  horribly  French  that  they 
cannot  please  him ; and  he  is  so  horribly  poor  that  they 
are  quite  disappointed  and  disgusted.  For  want  of 
money  to  feed  his  servants,  he  has  quartered  them  on 
the  principal  families.  His  soldiers  desert  even  his 
Gardes  du  Corps.  The  Duke  of  Modena  is  fortifying 
the  Mirandola  and  intends  to  be  very  considerable. 
His  vying  with  his  neighbour  of  Parma,  will  probably 
be  his  ruin  ; both  their  Dutchesses  are  expected  soon 
in  Italy,  which  will  probably  make  those  places  agree- 
able for  some  time  at  least  to  strangers.’ 

May  23rcl.- — ‘You  may  remember  that  upon  Mons. 
de  Mirepoix  being  named  Ambassador  to  England, 
you  desired  that  Prince  de  Craon  would  mention  you 
in  his  letter  to  Madame.  This  he  promised  to  do ; 
but  the  day  before  his  departure,  he  seemed  to  re- 
collect as  of  a sudden,  that  he  was  to  write  to  her 
about  you.  I did  not  contradict  it,  and  he  sat  down 
then  to  do  it,  he  did  not  show  me  the  letter,  but  as  he 
named  Mr.  St.  Leger  at  the  same  time,  I concluded 
he  would  name  him  in  it,  so  that  my  curiosity,  with 
the  facility  of  doing  it,  engaged  me  to  open  the  letter 
which  I send  you,  that  you  may  read  it  and  judge 
whether  you  will  deliver  it.  In  which  case  it  will  be 
easy  to  seal  by  putting  a large  dab  of  hot  wax  under 
the  arms.’ 

June  20th. — ‘ I write  to  you  in  a Hurricane  which 
is  terrible  and  threatens  great  mischief.  If  your 
summer  is  as  uncouth  as  ours,  your  diversions  at 


294 


ENTERTAINMENTS. 


1749. 


Ranelagh  and  Vauxhall  must  be  greatly  interrupted. 
We  have  not  had  one  evening  fit  for  my  garden.  I 
still  live  in  my  winter  Appartments  in  a cloth  coat. 
At  Rome  they  have  had  a turbine  which  Paparini,  in 
a pompous  printed  description,  says ; “si  chiama  in 
francese,  ouragan  ” which  has  done  great  mischief.  You 
will  image  the  force  of  it,  by  its  having  rooted  up,  and 
what  is  still  more  extraordinary,  carried  off  so  as  not 
to  be  found,  the  vast  Pines  and  Cipresses  in  Villa 
Negrone.  It  grazed  the  town  only,  but  destroyed 
everything  in  its  way ; had  it  gone  through  the  city, 
it  is  thought  it  would  have  done  the  same.  The 
heavens,  I find,  are  more  serene  at  Ranelagh,  so  as  to 
permit  the  Jubilee  Masquerade  of  which  you  have 
given  me  so  charming  a description.  . . . Our  Island 
will  become  as  famous  for  Masquerades  as  for 
Methodism.  You  say  I must  prepare  myself  for  it 
(Methodism),  but  among  all  the  English  here  I can’t 
get  a definition  of  it.’ 

July  25th. — Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barrett,  the  former  an 
invalid,  the  latter  a charming  lady,  with  a leaning 
towards  Methodism,  were  visiting  Florence,  and  were, 
as  friends  of  Mr.  Chute,  objects  of  cordial  attention  on 
the  part  of  Mann.  ‘ They  have  been  vastly  visited  ’ 
(he  writes),  ‘ and  have  begun  to  go  to  some  conver- 
sazioni. I am  preparing  one  on  purpose  for  Sunday ; 
the  Dames  to  be  invited  already  amount  to  150; 
judge  what  a number  of  men  there  must  be.  1 wish 
I could  invite  them  too  ’ (the  men  went,  uninvited) 
‘ that  I might  exclude  some  hundreds  who  only  come 
to  scramble  for  sorbets  and  to  pocket  the  glasses ! 
But  I wlusper  this,  lest  the  nobility  should  be  offended. 


1749. 


A PAINTED  LUKE. 


29.3 


‘ The  Duke  of  Modena  is  now  at  Venice — an 
uncouth  figure  with  his  white  forehead  and  red  cheeks  : 
when  I saw  him  many  years  ago  at  Bologna,  he  had  a 
great  wen  between  his  eye-brows,  on  which  he  used 
to  hang  his  wig  : then  the  quantity  of  paint  on  the 
rest  of  his  face,  which  trickled  down  mixed  with 
sweat,  made  him  full  as  ridiculous  a figure  as  he  can 
be.  . . . He  continued  to  be  ridiculous  in  every  part 
of  his  conduct  during  the  war,  both  Publick  and 
Domestick,  and  yet  I am  persuaded  that  the  Dutchess 
and  his  family  will  be  sorry  that  his  country  is 
restored  to  him,  for  which  they  must  quit  their  more 
pleasing  abodes  to  ennuyer  themselves  with  him.  He 
is  at  Venice  with  them,  waiting,  I suppose,  for  the 
erection  of  a triumphal  arch,  or  some  emblem  of 
valour  and  prudence  to  celebrate  his  return  to  Modena. 

£ We  have  a Lockart  here,  who  I believe  was  in  the 
Guards  when  he  deserted  to  the  Rebels.  He  certainly 
is  amongst  them.  He  came  here  from  Rome,  recom- 
mended by  Cardinal  Carini,  to  his  relations.  He  has 
not  been  with  me.’ 

August  15 til. — c It  is  plain  our  countrymen  think 
that  the  approaching  J ubilee  will  be  far  more  pompous 
than  the  shows  you  have  had.  We  hear  of  crowds 
being  already  as  far  as  Paris  on  their  way  thither. 
Rome  expects  to  be  enriched  by  them,  and  probably 
will  not  be  mistaken.  Were  there  only  one  Jubilee  in 
a century,  one  should  not  wonder,  but  the  fathers  of 
those  who  have  such  a mistaken  notion  of  it  could 
undeceive  them,  and  tell  them  that  there  is  no  time  so 
improper  to  see  the  real  curiosities  of  Rome.  There 
will  be  no  Opera  that  year  in  all  the  Ecclesiastical 


296 


A TRIP  TO  THE  JUBILEE. 


1749. 


States  ; in  short,  you  know  that  the  whole  is  dedicated 
to  the  good  of  Catholick  souls,  the  purging  them  of  all 
past  sins,  and  the  furnishing  them  with  Indulgences 
for  the  future.  Hereticks  are  excluded  from  all  sure 
benefits,  and  consequently  will  pass  their  time  very  ill 
there.  I am  convinced  that  if  people  had  a true  idea 
of  this  Jubilee,  many  would  be  prevented  taking  a 
trip  thither.  The  Young  Pretender  is  so  hidden  that 
nobody,  not  even  the  Pope  or  his  father,  knows  where 
he  is.’ 

November  7 th. — £ I don’t  like  the  old  insipid  Italian 
Conversations,  where  there  is  often  a great  crowd  but 
not  the  best  society.  One  must  have  a Cicisbea  of 
one’s  own  to  be  upon  a foot  with  other  people,  but  that 
would  be  infinitely  too  much  trouble,  and  unless  she 
were  like  Mrs.  Barrett,  I think  I should  not  like  her. 
She  has  the  greatest  sweetness  of  temper  I ever  met 
with,  and  has  extreme  good  sense.  . . . Marquis 
Costi’s  wedding  is  the  only  gayety  stirring  ; he  is  to 
be  married  to-morrow  to  a Medici.  Your  friend,  Mme. 
Albizzi,  who  is  his  Cicisbea,  made  him  break  off  two 
matches  before,  and,  not  succeeding  so  well  in  this,  is 
gone  into  the  country  upon  a promise  that  she  shall 
have  all  his  attentions  a week  after  the  marriage.  It 
is  the  fashion  now  for  the  favourite  Cicisbea  to  wink 
at  her  lover’s  marrying,  upon  promise  of  return  a few 
days  after.  Sisistori  did  so  with  the  Antinori ; his 
brother  the  Colonel,  with  the  Riccardi ; and  many 
others  I could  name.’ 

November  28th. — ‘I  live  a strange  life  since  the 
departure  of  the  Barretts  and  some  few  English  I was 
intimate  with  ; who  are  all  gone  to  Rome  for  this 


1749. 


GERMAN  NAVY. 


2 97 


Jubilee  ; not  that  I think  it  will  take  as  much  as  the 
Pope  expected.  Do  you  know  that  he  has  wrote  to  all 
his  Sons,  the  Catholick  Princes,  to  desire  them  to  keep 
good  friends,  not  to  disturb  the  peace  and  sanctity  of 
this  holy  year.  He  has  spent  a good  deal  of  money 
in  furbishing  up  and  decorating  his  theaters, — the 
churches,  and  if  he  has  not  a great  deal  of  company, 
be  will  be  a loser  by  it.’ 

It  was  at  this  time  the  ambition  of  Austria  to 
make  the  German  Empire, — or  the  Austrian  portion  of 
it, — a great  maritime  power.  The  government  had 
abandoned  the  project  of  Mills  (a  Promoter, — per- 
haps the  father  of  that  unscrupulous  and  villainous 
race)  for  founding  an  Austro  East  Indian  Com- 
pany : — 4 All  their  views  now,’  says  Mann,  ‘ are 
directed  to  Trieste,  which  the  Empress-Queen  is 
resolved  shall  totally  eclipse  Venice,  as  Leghorn  is 
to  do  all  the  Ports  in  the  Mediterranean.  Three  old 
ships,  bought  in  England  some  years  ago,  for  Cor- 
monclel  (sic)  are  to  be  turned  into  Imperial  Men  of 
War,  and  to  lay  the  first  foundation  of  a Puissance 
M aritime  in  this  part  of  the  world  ! ’ 

1750. 


January  2nd. — ‘Madame  Antinori  and  others 
have  formed  their  own  opinion  of  my  attentions  to 
Mrs.  Barrett.  ...  I cannot  agree  with  what  you  say 
with  regard  to  her.  What  you  call  prudery,  I 
attributed  to  the  coldness  of  the  English  character. 
I own  she  is  not  brillante,  but  then  I think  she  has 
great  good  sense,  excessively  quiet  I own,  and 


298 


CARNIVAL. 


1750. 


susceptible  of  friendship  though  not  of  Love,  which 
one  does  not  always  seek,  though  the  Italians  have 
no  idea  of  any  other  affection.  They  judge  of  all 
women  by  themselves.  ...  I own  I was  happy  in 
a quiet  family  society,  not  very  gay,  but  agreeable ; 
perhaps  this  argues  an  unfitness  for  a more  sprightly 
life.  . . . Believe  me  that  in  Florence  such  a family 
(as  the  Barretts)  is  a great  resource,  and  I most 
sincerely  wish  it  was  here  at  present.  They  are  now 
at  Naples,  he  vastly  gay,  and  as  novelty  diverts  him, 
he  thinks  himself  better  in  his  health,  but  I am 
persuaded  that  his  opinion  will  last  no  longer  than 
he  is  amused.  There  are  crowds  of  English  at  the 
Jubilee.  The  first  great  function  is  over,  and  in  a 
very  little  time  people  will  forget  they  are  in  the  holy 
year,  but  from  the  want  of  all  amusements.’ 

February  13 th. — ‘It  is  impossible  to  be  in  a 
country  like  this,  at  so  mad  a season,  and  not  to  be 
in  some  degree  tainted  with  its  madness.  The  first 
half  of  our  Carnival  was  so  dull  that  nobody  knew 
it.  Nothing  but  a bad  Opera,  and  unfrequented,  to 
distinguish  it  from  the  rest  of  the  year.  We  did  not 
even  suspect  that  people  reserved  themselves  for  the 
latter  part  of  it ; but  then,  like  all  other  passions 
suppressed  for  a time, — masking,  intriguing,  and 
jollity  of  all  kinds  broke  out  with  greater  fury, 
which  has  surpassed  that  of  other  Carnivals.  I,  as 
a spectator  only,  was  so  fatigued  that  I have  not 
recovered  it  yet.  The  contrast  now,  however,  is  too 
great,  and  I do  not  wonder  at  people  being  out  of 
humour.  Devotion  and  the  reflection  on  many  of  the 
sweets  of  past  pleasures,  make  the  scene  compleatly 


1750. 


SOCIETY  IN  FLORENCE. 


209 


dull,  at  present.  Florence  is  vastly  altered  since  you 
was  here,  and  it  alters  for  the  worse,  every  day. 
People  grow  poorer  and  consequently  more  discon- 
tented ; and,  not  being  able  to  vent  then-  anger  where 
it  might  be  due,  they  squabble  with  each  other. 
There  is  not  the  least  society,  except  among  the 
Lorrainers,  who  are  chatty  enough,  but  rather 
ignorant  and  insignificant ; and  yet,  not  to  be 
always  alone,  I am  forced  to  take  to  them.  I go  to 
their  homes  some  evenings,  and  they  come  to  me. 
Quadrille  and  Piquet  make  their  amusement.  Mr. 
Pelham,  Milbanke,  and  one  or  two  other  English 
always  sup  here ; but  I am  doing  all  I can  to 
persuade  the  former  to  go  to  England,  where  he  has 
long  been  expected  to  marry  Miss  Pelham.  It  is 
madness  in  him  to  neglect  such  an  offer ; but  the 
Countess  Aeciajuoli  has  too  great  an  ascendant  over 
him,  and  has  so  often  made  him  put  off  the  day  of 
his  departure  as  he  had  fixed  it.  He  is,  with  the 
consent  of  the  whole  family,  to  go  with  the  Countess 
into  the  country  for  a few  days,  with  the  secret  hopes 
undoubtedly  that  something  may  come  of  it,  to  make 
amends  for  her  dislike  to  her  husband.  The  family, 
which  is  extremely  antient,  and  counts  a lineal  descent 
from  the  Counts  of  Athens,  wants  an  heir,  to  prevent 
the  Estate  devolving  to  the  Church ; but  I tell  him 
daily  that  it  imports  him  much  more  to  hasten  to 
make  an  heir  to  the  Duke  of  Newcastle  than  to  the 
Dukes  of  Athens.  . . .’ 

e.  . . The  Craons  were  so  poorly  housed  at  and 
near  Florence,  that  a change  from  one  to  the  other 
villa,  involved  carrying  the  furniture.  The  Princess 


300 


LITERATURE. 


mo. 


is  now  much  better  off  in  Lorraine.  Stanislaus  ’ 
(says  Mann)  ‘ has  obliged  her  to  live  with  him  at 
Nancy,  and  has  allotted  her  the  Queens  appartments 
which  she  was  formerly  so  much  used  to  in  Leopold’s 
time.  They  say  even  that  after  poor  Prince  Onion’s 
death,  she  is  to  be  Queen  Leczinska.  They  expect 
Madame  de  Mirepoix,  her  daughter,  when  her  husband 
attends  the  King  (of  England)  to  Hanover.  P.  Craon 
has  wrote  me  the  most  kind  and  affectionate  letter ; 
lie  says  he  is  vastly  happy,  and  that  nothing  is 
wanting  to  make  him  compleatly  so,  but  the  birth 
of  a boy,  de  la  facon  de  son  fils,  which  they  hope  for 
in  April.  M.  de  Mirepoix  will  certainly  give  a ball 
on  the  occasion,  to  have  the  pleasure  of  dancing  at  it, 
and  to  convince  the  heavy  English  that  the  French 
are  as  light  at  fifty  as  they  are  at  twenty.’ 

The  same  letter,  which  is  one  of  the  longest  of 
Mann’s  long  epistles,  contains  one  of  the  few  references 
lie  makes  to  literary  subjects.  The  following  is  of 
pleasant  interest : — 

‘You  bid  me  send  you  Dr.  Cocchi’s  opinion  of 
Montesquieu’s  “Esprit  des  Loix.”  He  has  not  read 
it,  but  I must  tell  you  that  many  here  pretend  to  find 
fault  with  it ; unreasonably,  I think.  They  tax  him 
of  having  made  use  of  other  authors’  sentiments  as 
his  own  ; though  they  don’t  pretend  to  deny  that  he 
lias  introduced  them  judiciously.  They  allow  that 
it  was  not  necessary  to  make  notes  every  time,  but  at 
least  that  he  oueht  to  have  made  some  declaration  or 

O 

apology,  in  the  preface.  They  say  besides,  that  in 
many  places  he  is  too  concise,  consequently  obscure. 
For  my  own  part,  where  I have  not  understood  him 


1750. 


TRANSLATED  PLAYS. 


801 


I have  attributed  it  to  my  own  fault ; and  upon  the 
whole,  I must  own  that  I have  never  learnt  so  much 
from  any  other  book  ; and  hope  still  to  learn  more, 
by  a second  reading  of  it  this  Lent.  I have  not  seen 
Heynault’s  Abrege,  nor  is  it  to  be  got  here,  though 
the  French  bookseller  has  promised  to  send  for  it. 

c We  have  a new  book  here,  called  “Trattato  della 
Publica  Felicita,”  by  Muratori,  the  Duke  of  Modena’s 
Librarian ; which  made  a great  noise  before  it  was 
seen  here,  but  it  was  then  found  to  be  a very  middling 
performance.  The  Abbe  Buondelmonte  has  wrote  a 
little  dab,  which  has  been  most  terribly  criticized  by 
Lami,  in  the  “Novelle  Litterarie.”  Senator  Rucellaj 
lias  been  writing  plays,  or  rather,  translating  them, 
though  he  won't  allow  it.  He  has  chosen  Addison’s 
“ Drummer  ” which  he  had  read  in  French  only, 
translated  or  rather  imitated  by  Destonches.  Kucellaj 
calls  his  too,  the  “ Tamburro  Notturno.”  It  was  to 
have  been  acted  this  Carnival,  but  he  quarrelled  with 
the  actors,  and  he  keeps  it  still  hidden  till  he  finds 
proper  people  to  do  it  justice,  after  Easter.  If  it  is  no 
better  than  his  “ Misan trope,”  it  will  be  a most 
wretched  performance.  A propos  to  that.  He  was 
most  terribly  mortified  last  summer  by  Madame  de 
Ligneville,  Princess  Craon’s  sister-in-law,  who  is 
allowed  by  everybody  to  have  as  much  wit  as 
judgement.  She  was  talking  in  general  with  the 
Senatori  about  Italian  comedies ; and  she  engaged 
Kucellaj  to  lend  her  some ; — among  them  he  sent  his 
own  “ Misantrope,”  which  she  read,  and  not  knowing 
it  was  Ids,  abused  most  justly  and  unmercifully.  The 
next  time  she  saw  him  in  a great  circle  of  Litterati, 


302 


THE  BEAST  AND  THE  BARON. 


1750. 


who  were  all  too  well  pleased  with  her  saying  what 
they  all  thought  (but  out  of  complaisance  had  con- 
cealed) to  undeceive  her  as  to  the  author ; but  it  was 
too  late,  she  was  vastly  confused  for  some  time,  but 
had  gone  too  far  to  retract.  The  only  way  to  mitigate 
it,  was  to  say  that,  indeed  she  had  read  it  over  hastily, 
and  that  perhaps  on  reading  it  again  should  alter  her 
opinions  ; but  she  never  mentioned  a word  to  him  of  it 
afterwards,  and  he,  from  being  the  greatest  admirer  of 
her  judgement,  wit,  and  understanding,  had  ever  after 
the  most  contemptible  opinion  of  them  ! ’ 

From  ruffled  authors,  our  Minister  proceeds  to  take 
note  of  man  and  beast.  On  March  13th,  he  says: — 
‘We  have  been  entertained  with  a most  shabby  Tripo- 
line  Ambassador  whom  people’s  curiosity  led  to  see  as 
much  as  it  will  the  Rhinoceros  which  we  expect  from 
Rome,  where  it  is  gone  to  the  Jubilee.  This  animal 
is  to  be  recommended  to  me  with  its  master,  Vander 
Meer,  whom  the  Emperor  has  made  a Baron  for  the 
merit  of  the  Beast.  You  must  not  be  surprised  that  a 
Baron  de  l’Empire  should  follow  this  trade,  when  w'e 
are  told  that  Augustus  himself  did  not  disdain  to  be 
a Rhinocerontajo,  by  shewing  one  publickly  to  the 
Romans ; and  this  I believe  is  the  only  one  that  lias 
been  in  Italy  since  that  time  though  I have  never  heard 
that  a medal  of  it  was  struck  as  has  now  been  done  in 
honour  of  this. 

‘The  Tripoline  Ambassador,  as  I have  said,  was 
followed  by  crowds  whenever  he  stirred  out,  with 
which  he  was  offended  till  Naziato  Baldocci,  the  Master 
of  the  Ceremonies  who  attended  him,  told  him  it  was 
to  do  him  honour ; so  they  persuaded  him  when,  on 


1750. 


A NEW  FASHION. 


303 


his  arrival  at  the  gates  of  Bologna  and  pressing  through 
the  streets,  the  people  gave  him  a solennissima  jischiatci 
(a  most  solemn  hissing  and  whistling)  with  which  mark 
of  their  respect  he  was  taught  to  he  greatly  pleased, 
and  bristled  his  whiskers  with  joy.’ 

April  17th. — ‘We  have  now  a Mr.  Scrim  here, 
the  son  of  the  great  Apothecary  of  Bath,  who  is  by 
much  the  finest  and  most  delicate  man  here ; he  has 
the  finest  cloaths,  always  wears  lace,  has  a fine  equipage 
and  gives  great  dinners.  At  one  of  these  to  many 
English,  on  every  salver  that  was  presented  when 
people  called  for  drink,  there  were  two  Caraffes ; one 
with  Burgundy,  with  a printed  lay  bill  pasted  on  it, 
was  taken  up  by  one  of  the  company,  who  said  aloud 
that  it  looked  like  a dose  from  an  Apothecary’s  shop, 
and  he  hoped  it  wasn’t  Physick,  which  he  accompanied 
by  putting  it  to  his  nose.  He  afterwards  protested 
that  he  did  not  do  it  on  purpose,  and  indeed  he  was 
as  much  disconcerted  as  now  Mr.  Schrim  (sic.  Query 
Skreane  ?)  appeared  to  be.  It  cured  him  ever  after 
of  giving  Burgundy  in  caraffes.’ 

May  8th. — ‘ Madame  Don  Philip  has  brought  the 
mode  into  Italy  of  dressing  her  head  a la  Rhino- 
ceros, which  all  our  ladies  here  follow  ; so  that  the 
preceding  mode  a la  Commetta  (sic)  is  only  fit  for 
Madame  Suares  and  such  antiquated  beauties.  . . . 
I have  been  a regular  Courtier  to  the  Marquis  of 
Baden  Durlach.  . . . The  late  Queen  ’ (Caroline,  wife 
of  George  II.)  ‘ was  his  great  aunt,  and  he  is  nephew  to 
the  Prince  of  Orange.  . . . Count  Richecourt,  observing 
that  he  hardly  ever  opens  his  mouth  but  to  speak 
English,  has  engaged  us  in  all  his  parties,  and 


304 


A GERMAN  MARQUIS . 


1750. 


entertains  him  at  dinner  every  day.  They  tell  me 
I should,  but  I am  afraid  of  not  doing  it  well  for  so 
large  a company  as  I must  invite  with  him.  The  two 
evenings  that  there  was  no  burletta,  he  passed  at  the 
Count’s  ; the  first  evening  there  was  an  elegant  con- 
cert, at  which  Verroccini  shone  much  and  particularly 
in  a Sonata,  in  which  he  brings  in  Tweed’s  Side, 
which  he  always  plays  when  I am  present.  Only 
young  ladies  were  invited,  and  were  in  the  greatest 
Gala.  Count  Richecourt  said  the  old  ones  might  go 
to  Chapel,  for  he  would  have  none  of  them.  . . I 
never  saw  anybody  more  smitten  than  the  Marquis, 
but  the  Yernacci  was  as  insensible  as  he  was  timorous, 
though  she  must  have  much  more  sense  than  she  has 
to  guess  even  that  he  lias  a liking  for  her.  Richecourt 
shows  him  royal  honours,  goes  to  the  coach  door  to 
meet  him,  and  always  waits  upon  him  to  it,  and  at 
the  English  Inn  where  he  is  lodged,  attends  two  or 
three  hours  in  his  antechamber,  whilst  under  Pretence 
of  a cold,  the  Marquis  laid  in  bed  to  read  the  Memoirs 
of  a Woman  of  Pleasure,  which  Stoscli  lent  him.  I 
will  send  you  by  the  first  opportunity, — Ruccelai’s 
translation  of  Addison’s  “ Drummer,  or  Haunted 
House.’  It  has  been  acted  twice  but  makes  a most 
woeful  appearance  on  an  Italian  stage.  I expected  it 
would  have  been  damned  the  first  night ; but  the 
audience  only  groaned  with  impatience  and  ennuy. 
Few  will  go  again,  though  the  Burletta  which  is  acted 
alternately  in  the  same  theater  is  always  crouded.’ 
June  2 6th. — ‘ We  have  had  a most  pitifull  little 
Earthquake,  too  ; not  worth  mentioning.  It  did  not 
even  alarm  the  old  woemen,  or  furnish  the  priests  with 


1750. 


WIT  OF  VILIAMS. 


305 


an  excuse  to  preach  about  judgements,  though  they 
would  not  have  dared  to  attribute  it  to  Electricity, 
gravitation  or  any  natural  cause.  The  Inquisition 
and  priestly  craft  obliges  them  to  pocket  up  all  these 
for  Judgements  and  miracles,  as  may  best  serve  their 
turn  ; but  nothing  of  this  kind  has  been  preached  on 
this  occasion  ; no  old  house  has  been  thrown  down,  no 
China  jar  cracked  to  give  the  Priests  a handle  to 
be  hung  on  to  raise  the  price  of  such  commodities ; 
I shall  not  be  surprised  to  hear  that  some  fine  Lady 
has  given  the  full  price  for  those  jars,  and  that  she 
should  keep  them  with  as  much  veneration  as  some 
Generals  have  done  their  Hats  which  a Musket  ball 
has  pierced.  Some  french  officers  in  the  war  in  Italy 
in  the  year  ’34  were  accused  of  diverting  themselves 
with  shooting  at  their  own  hats  to  dance  with  at  the 
Balls  when  Marshal  Villars  danced  a minuet  supported 
by  two  Aide  de  Camps  (sic).’ 

‘ Did  you  ever  hear  what  was  allowed  to  be  a bon 
mot  of  his  ? Being  asked  by  somebody,  how  old  he 
was,  he  answered  : “ J’auray  bientot  Mil-an  upon 
which  town  he  had  then  a view.’ 

July  18 th. — ‘ Since  my  jaunt  to  Pisa  I have  taken 
such  a gout  for  the  country  that  I have  been  rambling 
abroad  to  some  country  houses.  I staid  three  days 
at  a very  fine  one  of  Marquis  Acciajuoli’s,  situated 
most  abominably  among  the  mountains,  towards 
Volterra.  If  I could  afford  it,  I really  would  take 
a Villa  near  Florence,  but  I am  afraid  of  its  becoming 
a cheesecake  house  for  all  the  English,  though  the 
King’s  Arms  is  vastly  frequented  by  them  in  town,  so 
that  I have  not  a moment  to  myself.’ 

VOL.  I. 


x 


3o6 


THE  VENETIAN  AMBASSADRESS. 


1750. 


(In  those  days,  each  Ambassador,  or  other  repre- 
sentative of  his  sovereign,  placed  the  shield  of  his 
country’s  arms  in  front  of  the  house  in  which  he 
dwelt ; and  Innkeepers  considered  it  a favour  to  be 
allowed  to  put  up  the  national  arms  of  any  Ambas- 
sador who  had  passed  a night  in  their  hostelry). 

‘ I fancy  I should  be  quieter  there,  and  yet  I am 
afraid  to  venture,  for  fear  of  tlieir  friendly  visits  in 
the  morning  to  avoid  the  heat,  and  their  lasting  the 
whole  day ; here,  I can  lie  denied  for  some  parts 
of  it. 

‘ We  are  to  have  crouds  from  Turin.  A Colonel 
Shuckburgli  and  his  wife  are  here,  who  in  order  to  be 
very  intimate  with  me,  have  showed  me  a letter  from 
somebody  who  acquaints  them  that  my  Lord  Orford 
is  to  recommend  them  to  me,  and  they  enquire  every 
Post,  if  I have  received  his  letters.  They  are  eternal 
players  at  whist,  which  I pretend  not  to  know,  at  the 
risk  of  being  much  despised  by  them  for  my  ignorance 
of  so  fashionable  a game.’ 

August  30 th. — ‘In  compliance  to  your  Inclinations, 
I have  invited  the  little  Venetian  Ambassadress  to  my 
Garden  on  Sunday  evening.  She  takes  it  all  upon  her 
own  account,  though  it  literally  is  for  Mrs.  Barrett. 
The  first  day  after  her  arrival,  she  laid  in  bed  the  whole 
day.  The  next,  which  was  yesterday,  she  made  an 
effort  and  got  dressed  by  three  to  dine  at  Niccolini’s, 
where  22  people  were  waiting  for  her.  Of  English, 
the  Barretts  folks,  as  Mrs.  Davis  calls  them,  Mr. 
Stanhope  and  myself  were  there.  Rinuncini,  one  of 
her  former  lovers,  was  permitted  to  serve  her  the 
whole  dinner-time.  You  liked  her  too,  but  it  was  in 


1750. 


J.  LEADER  OF  FASHION. 


30  7 


the  days  of  her  beauty,  which  I think  she  has  quite 
lost  with  the  small  pox,  though  she  is  as  affected 
as  ever.  A Mr.  Stephens,  of  whom  she  had  said  very 
impertinent  things,  and  particularly  about  a black  coat 
which  he  had  worn  some  days,  told  her,  upon  her 
asking  for  whom  he  was  in  mourning,  that  it  was  for 
the  beauty  she  had  lost  in  England  ! She  tells  every- 
body how  she  diverted  herself  with  the  povere  Dame 
Inglese ; — that  she  invented  every  day  some  new 
extravagant  dress,  in  which  she  appeared  at  Court 
in  order  to  laugh  the  next  day  at  the  number  that 
imitated  it.  In  short,  if  it  were  not  to  offend  you, 
I would  say  that  in  all  her  ways  and  behaviour  she  is 
exactly  like  a celebrated  Cantarina  whose  head  is 
turned  by  the  self  persuasion  of  her  own  perfections. 
She  has  said  no  good  things  here  yet,  though  she 
was  so  famous  for  them  in  Enoland.’ 

O 

‘My  lists  for  Sunday  have  gone  forth  to  the  number 
of  164  Dame;  twenty  or  thirty  I must  abate  for 
illness  or  other  impediments,  Lady  Caroline  D . . . 
(i illegible ) who  arrived  here  two  days  ago,  won't  come, 
being  resolved  never  to  go  into  any  company,  Italian 
I mean,  for  she  seeks  that  of  the  English  . . . What 
people  do  you  send  us  ! Mr.  D . . . ( illegible ) raises 
my  compassion  to  the  utmost  degree,  to  see  a man  who 
might  in  every  respect  be  happy,  resolve  to  be  miser- 
aide,  by  fancying  himself  ill.  He  is  ten  times  worse 
than  Mr.  Barrett.  He  told  me  last  maht  that  nobod \ 
ever  was  so  unfortunate,  and  that  he  had  been  at 
Viterbo  within  an  hour  of  his  perfect  recovery.  He 
explained  it  by  telling  me  that  having  gone  through 
a salivation  to  drive  out  the  Devil  of  a Fever  he  had 


308 


TIIE  POPE  AND  THE  VENETIANS.  1750. 


on  liis  spirits,  the  injudicious  Physician  gave  him 
some  gentle  medicine  which  struck  inward  the  break- 
ing-out which  had  begun  to  appear,  and  by  that  means 
destroyed  all  his  hopes,  by  leaving  him  worse  than 
ever.  It  is  really  a madness  one  cannot  account  for. 
He  told  me  that  he  would  take  everything  that  every- 
body should  recommend  to  him.  “But,  suppose,”  said 
I,  “that  any  honest  good  Physician  should  recommend 
nothing  to  you,  would  you  follow  his  prescription  ? ” 
“Oh  no!”  said  he,  “that  would  be  the  same  as  to  bid 
me  dye.”  Don’t  mention  these  follies  of  him  in 
England.  He  seems  a very  sensible  man,  except  in 
this  point. 

‘There  has  been  a quarrel  between  the  Pope  and 
the  Venetians,  about  the  Patriarch  of  Aquilaija. 
They  have  recalled  their  Ambassador  and  turned  the 
Nuncio  out  of  Venice,  notwithstanding  the  menaces 
of  the  Court  of  Vienna  to  consider  any  resentment 
shown  by  them  to  the  Pope  on  this  occasion,  as  done 
to  that  Court.  The  Venetians,  however,  are  alarmed 
and,  they  say,  have  taken  Waldeck  into  their  service. 

. . . The  haughtiness  of  the  Queen  ’ (Empress)  ‘ on 
this  occasion  may  probably  give  the  French  a fair 
pretence  to  raise  a great  combustion  on  this  foolish 
account,  in  Italy.  The  Venetians  have  prepared  a 
manifest  to  be  sent  to  all  the  Courts  of  Europe,  but 
the  publication  of  it  has  been  suspended  perhaps  till 
their  Ambassador’s  return.  ’ 

August  21  st. — ‘The  Venetian  Ambassador  left  Eomc 
with  eclat,  without  taking  leave ; and  the  Senate 
turned  the  Nuncio  away,  without  any  ceremony. 
They  shut  up  the  Nunciatura  and  the  Dotaria,  and 


1750. 


ENGLISH  FRIENDS. 


309 


forbid  any  money  being  sent  to  Rome,  for  benefices, 
etc.,  all  which  money  they  have  paid  to  the  military 
case.  The  Empress  threatened  them  violently,  before; 
but  has  not  since  taken  any  step  to  resent  those 
injuries  done  to  the  Pope.  The  latter  repents  ex- 
tremely of  what  he  has  done,  but  it  is  too  late  to 
recall  it ; so  that  it  is  supposed  that  things  must 
remain  in  this  situation  for  this  Popes  life.’ 

‘ We  have  Lord  Poultney  here  who  publickly 
declares  against  all  parties.  Somebody  was  recom- 
mending an  antiquarian  to  him  at  Rome,  when 
another  advised  him  not  to  make  use  of  him,  being 
a known  Jacobite.  “ Oh  !”  says  he,  “that’s  no  reason 
at  ell.  I have  nothing  to  do  with  that,  as  I am  of 
no  party.”  Doesn’t  this  prove  that  he  is ’ (sic). 

Mann  complains  of  the  ‘ crouds  ’ of  English  who 
mar  his  home  enjoyments,  but  he  makes  special 
exception  of  the  couple  of  young  men,  Messrs.  Pelham 
and  Milbanke,  who,  he  writes  on  August  21st,  ‘run 
away  this  night.  We  have  lived  in  the  greatest 
intimacy.  The  former  is  a very  good-natured  little 
man  ; the  latter  has  all  the  good  qualities  one  would 
always  wish  to  find  in  any  one  ; and  both  have  great 
partiality  for  me.  I have  made  use  of  all  the  weight 
I have  with  Mr.  Pelham  to  persuade  him  to  make 
use  of  all  the  interest  he  may  have  with  his  relatives 
to  do  something  genteel  for  Milbanke,  who  deserves 
everything  from  him,  and  more  than  he  can  expect 
from  his  own  family.  He  is  the  youngest  son  of  the 
late  Sir  Ralph  Milbanke  who  died  suddenly  and  had 
made  no  provision  for  his  younger  children  ; many  of 
them  are,  however,  employed.  This  one  here,  after  a 


310 


MAE  MAGE  SPECULATIONS. 


1750. 


school  and  university  education,  was  designed  for  the 
Law,  which  he  left,  to  come  abroad  with  Mr.  Pelham, 
who  is  of  his  own  age,  and  with  whom  he  was  brought 
up.  I never  yet  saw  anybody  who  had  known  Mr. 
Milbanke,  that  did  not  interest  himself  for  him.  I 
shall  miss'  them  extremely.  They  were  commonly 
both,  but  particularly  Milbanke,  of  all  my  gentle 
riding  parties,  I called  him  my  Cavelerizzo  Mag- 
giore,  as  he  is  vastly  clever  at  all  manly  exercises 
and  totally  directed  my  Scuderia.  In  short,  I don’t 
know  a more  deserving  young  creature.  ...  I have 
mentioned  they  are  to  run  away  to-night.  Nobody 
yet  knows  of  this  design,  but  myself.  The  attach- 
ment Mr.  Pelham  has  with  the  Countess  Acciajuoli 
would  make  the  separation  too  touching  for  either 
of  them  to  bear  ; for  I never  saw  any  couple  more 
wraped  up  (sic)  in  each  other,  than  they  are  ; the  whole 
family  is  as  fond  of  him  as  he  is  of  them ; but  ho 
must  go.  Colonel  Pelham  has  conjured  him  to  set 
out  for  Hanover,  to  meet  his  sister,  Mrs.  Temple,  who 
has  been  sent  abroad,  he  says,  in  hopes  that  exercise, 
the  change  of  air,  and  amusements  may  prevent  her 
falling  into  a consumption,  from  her  immoderate  grief 
for  the  loss  of  her  husband  and  son.  I have  pressed 
him  long  to  go,  before  he  had  this  additional  motive, 
as  he  is  designed  for  the  eldest  Miss  Pelham,  now 
unmarried  ; and  by  that  means  he,  most  probably, 
will  be  considered  as  the  Heir  to  the  Pelham  family ; 
views  too  important  to  be  neglected  for  any  transient 
attachment.  ’ 

October  22ncl. — c The  quarrel  between  the  Pope 
and  the  Venetians  subsided  for  some  time,  and  the 


1750.  FLORENTINE  VILLAS.  311 

latter,  by  acting  vigorously,  have  hitherto  remained 
victorious  on  the  side  of  honour,  that  is  by  shewing 
the  greatest  resentment  to  the  Pope  and  abusing  him 
publickly.  That  was  not  the  only  mortification  the 
Pope  was  obliged  to  swallow.  Pasquin  treated  him 
very  ludicrously  in  his  own  capital.  Marforio  asks 
Pasquin,  “ Perche  si  triste  1 ” “ Pereke  ! ” replies  he, 
“ perche  non  avremo  piu  Commedia ! Pantalone  e 
partito,  e il  Dottore  e impazzato  ! ” The  old  Bolognese 
Doctor  was  excessively  offended  at  this  coarse  wit, 
in  which  characters  from  the  Italian  Comedy  were 
applied  to  the  Venetian  ambassador  and  to  the 
Pope.  (‘  We  shall  have  no  more  comedy ; Pantalone 
(The  V enetians)  is  gone  away,  and  the  Doctor  (Pope) 
is  gone  mad  ! ’) 

‘ You  are  certainly  right  about  the  bad  taste  of  the 
Florentine  villas.  That  of  Acciajuoli  is  a proof  of 
it.  One  would  think  that  their  chief  pride  was  to 
shew  that  they  could  prop  up  a house  by  vast  walls 
and  Intrenchments  more  expensive  than  the  habita- 
tion itself.  Palmieri’s,  very  near  Florence,  is  another 
proof  of  it.  I had  almost  broke  my  neck  in  coming 
down  from  it  yesterday  on  horseback.  I had  been 
about  Fiesole,  to  take  a pretty  villa  for  about  a 
month.  The  access  to  it  in  a coach  is  very  good, 
and  the  plains  below  charming  to  ride  about  on  horse- 
back. Most  of  the  villas  on  the  hill  of  Fiesole  look 
exactly  like  a Chinese  Fan,  with  monstrous  houses 
upon  trees. 

‘ There  was  expectation  lately  of  a Grand  Festino 
which  has  failed.  If  the  Dauphiness  had  been  brought 
to  bed  of  a son.  Count  Lorenzi  (French  minister  at 


312 


PATRICIANS  AND  NOBLES. 


1750. 


Florence)  intended  to  have  married  for  joy  and  given 
a Great  Ball— which  his  court  would  have  paid  for ; 
hut  as  it  was  only  a daughter,  and  that  he  was  forbid 
making  any  rejoicing  on  that  occasion,  he  intends  to 
extend  his  respect  to  his  Court  by  making  none  for  his 
marriage,  which  he  undertakes  in  a few  days,  with  an 
Uglio,  a great  bouncing  girl  of  about  19  ; how  it  will 
go  with  his  weak  constitution  and  game  leg,  I can’t 
tell.  I am  invited  to  see  him  hop  into  this  state,  next 
Monday.’ 

‘We  were  to  have  had  another  Festino  upon  a quite 
different  occasion,  that  of  old  Count  Riccardi’s  leaving 
the  world.  He  had  a sort  of  an  apoplectick  fit ; but, 
before  he  would  be  blooded,  he  went  round  to  all 
the  Appartments  of  his  house  to  announce  it  to  his 
sons  and  daughters,  so  fond  is  he  of  telling  news. 
Not  being  permitted  to  go  out  of  his  house,  he 
meditated  a great  conversation  by  way  of  taking  leave, 
and  he  thought  the  invitations  had  been  made,  but 
his  people  turned  it  into  a Cioccolata  for  half  a dozen 
ladies,  which  had  almost  made  him  dye  of  a pet. 

‘ . . . They  have  just  published  a new  Edict  about 
the  Tuscan  nobility  which  is  to  be  divided  into  two 
ranks,  those  that  can  prove  200  years  are  to  be 
Patrizii;  the  others,  Nobili  only;  by  which  distinction, 
as  they  have  all  been  equal  hithefto,  the  latter  will  be, 
as  it  were,  degraded,  and  all  will  be  at  a vast  expense 
and  trouble  to  give  in  their  proofs  and  quarters 
properly  blazoned.  Then  animosities  must  ensue 
between  the  two  ranks,  and  have  an  influence  in  their 
marriages,  etc.,  etc.,  etc.  Many  of  the  chief  families, 
I hear,  intend  to  take  no  notice  of  this  Edict,  let  the 


1750. 


MANN  AT  FIE  SOLE. 


313 


consequence  be  what  it  will  of  their  not  being  in  the 
Libro  cV  Or  o' 

Mann’s  letter  of  October  9th  is  written  at  ‘ Fiesole 
Hill.’  ‘Pray  mark/  he  says,  ‘where  this  letter  is 
dated.  You  see  I have  a hill  as  well  as  you,  and,  I 
am  sure,  a much  greater,  if  that  be  any  merit.  I will 
not  however  compare  it  with  the  beauties  of  Straw- 
berry Hill,  though  mine  is  more  beset  with  houses 
which  afford,  I believe,  the  most  Chinesque  prospect 
that  any  fan  or  sckreen-painter  can  imagine.  Mine  is 
situated  rather  low  upon  the  hill,  at  a place  called  the 
Forbici,  the  ascent  to  which  is  so  easy  that  to  come  with 
a pair  of  horses  or  even  to  walk  up  and  down,  is  a 
diversion.  The  English  have  already  found  their  way 
to  it.  Sir  Matthew  Featherstone,  another  sick  husband, 
has  this  instant  been  here  to  make  me  his  first  visit. 
His  Lady  Featherstone  and  a pretty  Miss  — - — , I really 
forget  her  name,  are  in  town,  to  whom  I must  make 
a visit  to-morrow,  and  I suppose  invite  them  to  this 
place  for  the  next  day.  It  will  be  less  trouble  than 
giving  her  a dinner  in  Town.  You  will  wonder, 
perhaps,  that  after  living  so  many  years  in  Florence, 
I should  now  think  of  a Villa  / but  the  reason  is  plain  ; 
the  search  of  a little  variety  is  the  chief  motive.  I 
must  however  be  honest  enough  to  confess  that  had 
the  Barretts  been  in  Florence,  or  had  they  proposed  to 
me  to  go  with  them  to  the  Baths,  this  Villegiatura 
would  never  have  come  into  my  head.  1 dare  say 
they  will  not  be  pleased  at  not  finding  me  in  Florence, 
on  their  return  ; but  it  is  my  turn  to  fare  il  Prezzioso. 
I shall  perhaps  invite  them  here.  This  will  be  another 
trial  whether  he  will  .permit  his  wife  to  be  under  the 
same  roof. 


314 


LTTF/rr  1 TUBE  BE  IF,  I TiDED. 


1750. 


c . . . Rapin  lias  recorded  that  the  great  great 
grandfather  of  my  Lady  Countess  was  a butcher.  On 
which  account,  her  Ladyship,  seeing  Rapin  among  my 
books,  asked  me  how  I could  keep  it,  that  it  was  the 
falsest  lying  history  in  the  world  ! . . . Did  you  ever 
hear  of  a Count  Aremberg  (an  ancestor  of  the  present 
Duke),  who  insisted  on  being  descended  from  Adam  ? 
A relation  of  his,  to  whom  he  was  making  it  clear, 
answered : “ Ma  foi,  mon  cousin,  nous  avons  de 
grandes  obligations  a Noe,  pour  avoir  bien  voulu 
Harder  les  archives  de  notre  famille  dans  son  Arc ! ” 
During  the  time  of  the  Mississipi  scheme  in  France, 
a footman,  who  had  got  great  wealth  and  an  Equipage 
of  his  own,  going  hastily  out  of  a house,  he  by  dis- 
traction got  up  into  his  old  place.  His  servants 
shewing  their  surprize,  said  : “ mais,  Monsieur  ! ” Ho 
recovered  himself  by  saying:  “c’est  que  j’ai  voulu 
voir  combien  de  laquais  je  pourrois  mettre  derriere 
cette  voiture  ! ” ’ Other  examples  of  silly  people  follow 
in  a December  letter. 

Florence,  December  Ath. — ‘ Doctor  Cocchi  has  a 
pension  for  writing  a book  on  the  Baths  of  Pisa, — a 
mark  of  the  Emperors  Imperial  Munificence, — as 
many  Florins  as  make  about  fifteen  Pounds  Sterling 
a year ! the  half  of  which  is  to  be  deducted  the  first 
year  for  the  Patent  and  fees  ! such  are  the  rewards  for 
merit,  learning,  and  infinite  trouble  in  this  country. 
He  very  prudently  foresaw  this,  and  therefore  took 
the  opportunity  of  securing  to  himself  a much  greater 
reward  in  the  honour  he  hoped  to  obtain  by  that  work, 
and  which  the  publick  had  not  deprived  him  of.  A 
hint  was  given  to  him  by  order  of  Richecourt,  that 


1750.  ILLUSTRIOUS  AND  MOST  ILLUSTRIOUS. 


315 


he  might  bo  made  nobile  as  a reward  for  that  book  ; 
but  that  he  declined  as  thinking  it  too  insignificant. 
No  wonder  Richecourt  should  propose  it,  having 
nothing  but  nobility  in  his  head.’ 

‘A  foolish  vain  Cavaliere,  some  years  ago,  making 
a merit  of  his  affability  or  condenscenion  (sic),  before 
some  strangers  and  in  the  presence  of  Dr.  Cocchi, 
gave  as  an  instance,  that  “ bcnche  Cavaliere,  io  non 
ho  difficolta  di  permettere  alle  gente  inferiore  come 
il  Signor  Dottor  Cochi  ed  altre  persone  di  merito  di 
sedere  con  me  ” (although  Cavalier,  I have  no  difficulty 
in  allowing  inferior  persons,  like  Dr.  Cocchi  and  other 
people  of  merit,  to  be  seated  with  me),  and  he  appealed 
to  Cocchi  to  confirm  his  gentle  assertion,  which  Cocchi 
did  by  saying,  “ E vero,  signor  Cavaliere,  ma  Lei 
sapra  forse  die  gli  uomini  Illustri  sono  da  preferirsi 
agli  Ulustrissimi .”  (Quite  true,  Signor  Cavalier,  but 
you  are  perhaps  aware  that  men  of  merit  take  pre- 
cedence of  the  mere  Men  of  Quality.)  This  was 
allowed  to  be  a very  proper  answer/ 

Both  the  illustrious  and  most  illustrious  were 
curious  as  to  the  quality  of  Mann’s  ‘blood,’  and  the 
Minister  got  his  genealogical  tree  to  show  its  descent 
in  all  its  branches.  ‘ I shall  bang  it  up,’  he  says, 
‘ in  some  inner  room,  though  it  is  the  custom  as  you 
know  of  this  country  to  expose  these  Alberi  Gentilme 
in  their  Halls,  or  most  publick  parts  of  their  house. 
Besides,  I shall  only  take  occasion  accidently  to  let 
some  few  see  it,  who  have  made  it  necessary.  This  is 
all  the  revenge  I design  to  take  for  their  malice.  . . . 

‘.  . . I have  frequent  disputes  about  my  priviledges, 
etc.,  but  am  always  forced  to  yield  ; and  at  this  very 


316 


A GENUINE  EERO. 


1750. 


instant  I am  forced  to  receive  as  a favour  tlieir  not 
obliging  me  to  go  to  Leghorn  with  all  my  servants 
to  cloath  them  with  English  cloth,  that  being  contra- 
band, though  there  is  no  other  in  the  country,  and  that 
no  distinction  was  ever  made  with  regard  to  us  and 
the  unlimited  priviledges  time  out  of  mind  to  introduce 
whatever  is  for  the  use  of  ourselves  and  families. 
Riehecourt  owns  this,  but  says  he  wont  allow  it  for  the 
future.  He  laughs  at  all  the  right  I pretend  to  claim, 
and  as  no  notice  is  taken  of  such  sort  of  things,  I can 
get  no  redress.  He  is  the  only  one  in  the  Regency 
that  both  starts  and  approves  of  these  difficulties.  . . . 

£ . . . I must  tell  you  an  extraordinary  piece  of 
heroism  which  was  lately  shewn  in  Corsica  when  M. 
Oarsay  (?),  the  French  Commandant,  had  condemmed 
a Corsican  to  dye.  During  the  interval  of  his  sentence 
and  the  time  for  his  execution,  he  escaped  by  the 
negligence  of  the  sentinel,  who  was  to  be  shot  for  it. 
The  Corsican  upon  hearing  of  this,  immediately  pro- 
duced himself,  to  submit  to  his  sentence,  saying  that  it 
was  not  just  that  an  innocent  man  should  dye  on  his 
account.  Carsay,  struck  with  his  generosity,  pardoned 
them  both.  Last  week  142  galley  slaves  escaj>ed  from 
Pisa,  and  are  now  wandering  about  the  country  seek- 
ing whom  they  must  destroy  for  their  own  subsistence.’ 


1751. 


TEE  EMPRESS  DOWAGER. 


317 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

1751. 

January  1st. — ‘We  are  now  at  the  entrance  of  our 
Carnival,  and  forced  to  be  contented  with  the  worst 
Opera  and  more  wretched  ■ Intermezzi  that  ever  was 
permitted  in  the  Via  della  Pergola ; but  an  accident 
has  happened  that  has  made  the  town  think  itself 
happy  in  the  continuation  of  them, — the  dread  of  a 
stop  of  all  Carnavalesque  diversions.  The  Empress- 
Dowager  is  dead.  (Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Louis 
Rhodolph,  Duke  of  Brunswick.)  The  news  of  it 
arrived  yesterday,  and  orders  are  expected  by  the 
next  post  relating  to  the  tokens  of  Grief  which  the 
country  must  give.  If  the  death  of  Madame  Royale, 
the  Emperor’s  mother,  be  any  rule,  a general  and  deep 
mourning  must  take  place  of  all  publick  as  well 
as  private  entertainments ; for  then,  all  domestick 
festins  were  forbid.  The  poor  Empress  Dowager 
whom  nobody  can  acquit  of  voluntarily  giving  this 
displeasure  to  the  town,  is  however  not  pardoned : 
“ She  might  at  least  have  put  it  off  till  Quadragesima  ! 
(they  say).  It  would  have  been  more  polite  not  to 
force  people’s  inclinations  not  to  mourn  out  of 
season.” 


NEW  YEAR'S  BAY. 


17-31. 


0I8 


‘ I thought  I had  taken  sufficient  precautions  to 
prevent  being  interrupted  by  visits  ; but  there  are 
certain  people  who  think  they  have  a right  to  be 
troublesome  at  all  hours ; the  Custom  of  the  Day’ 
(New  Year’s  day)  ‘justifies  them,  so  I must  have 
patience,  and  must  myself  go  round  this  afternoon 
to  act  the  same  part.’ 

January  29th. — £I  have  for  a fortnight  been 
nursing  the  most  abominable  cold  . . . and  write  to 
you  from  bed,  which  Dr.  Cocchi  says,  “is  the  only 
good  climate  at  this  time  of  the  year,  in  Tuscany.” 
Indeed  no  climate  ever  produced  worse  weather.  . . . 
We  have  had  a little  fracas  here,  and  for  the  first 
time,  Ginori  has  got  the  better  of  Richecourt,  in  a 
trial  of  Interest,  about  the  building  a town,  1 mean 
a suburb  to  Leghorn.  Ginori’ s plan,  after  some  years 
contest  (?)  . . . has  been  preferred  to  Richecourt’s  who 
is  extremely  piqued ; however,  it  is  to  be  executed 
immediately,  and  Ginori,  with  two  or  three  people 
he  has  already  found,  have  engaged  to  build  eighty 
houses,  in  the  Spring.  You  will  judge  they  are  not 
to  be  palaces ; I think  they  are  to  cost  200  crowns 
each.  The  view  of  this  is  to  entice  French,  Genoese 
and  Roman  fishermen  to  come  and  settle  there,  and 
then  to  turn  them  into  sailors  . . . 

£.  . . You  must  not  expect  any  Connection  in  my 
Letter.  I can’t  fix  five  minutes,  in  one  posture,  so 
inconvenient  it  is  to  write  in  bed.’ 

February  19th. — After  dwelling  on  the  languid 
diversions  of  the  season,  the  deserted  theatres,  the 
gloomy  balls,  and  the  capricious  tyranny  of  Riche- 
court,  Mann  says : — £ to  make  his  court  to  a 


17-51. 


HOT  PIES  IN  OPERA  POXES. 


siy 


favourite  of  his  whom  the  fumes  of  a hot  pye  from 
a hox  below  disordered,  Richecourt  immediately  called 
for  the  “ Prince  ” of  the  Accademy,  and  of  his  own 
authority  gave  strict  orders  that  no  hot  pye  or  dish 
with  meat  should  enter  the  theater ; an  obedience  to 
which  order  authorizes  the  people  at  the  doors  to  put 
their  dirty  paws  into  every  plate  or  dish  of  Macharoni 
(sic)  to  discover  a latent  piggion  grosso.  The  very 
night  after,  an  excellent  Macharoni  pye  was  refused 
admittance,  to  the  great  mortification  of  the  Cicisbeo 
who  had  prepared  it,  and  of  the  many  Ladies  who 
were  to  be  regaled  with  it ! 

‘ This  Carnival  was  destined  to  be  unlucky.  You 
knoAv  it  used  to  end  with  Mardi  Gras  . . . and  iioav 
by  an  express  order  of  the  Archbishop,  this  very 
Mardi  Gras  is  to  be  Mardi  Maigre,  a contradiction 
of  terms,  for  that  high  priest  has  ordered  the  Jubilee, 
a suite  of  the  Holy  Year,  to  begin  on  that  day,  though 
the  Pope  himself  has  dispensed  his  oavh  State  from  it. 
You  cannot  think  Iioav  this  offends.’ 

‘ Young  Vincenzo  Albati  has  been  for  some  years 
in  an  unhappy  situation.  . . . He  and  his  family,  one 
of  the  best  in  Florence,  were  reduced  to  want  by 
his  Avorthless  father,  who  was  one  of  the  people 
engaged  in  the  robbery  of  the  Abbondanza.  He 
luckily  died  in  prison,  and  before  the  sentence  was 
pronounced,  but  the  Estate  was  forfeited  to  pay  that 
debt.  Well,  this  Vincenzo  Albati  has  been  appointed 
by  the  Emperor  to  go  and  reside  at  Vienna,  Avith  the 
title  of  Conseiller  Intime  in  the  Tuscan  Council,  there 
to  facilitate  the  affairs,  of  this  country  which  they 
there  know  nothing  of.  He  is  to  have  4000  Florins 


320 


IMPERIAL  FUNERAL. 


1751. 


a year.  . . . Riehecourt  lias  procured  him  this  advan- 
tageous post,  and  he  could  not  choose  better,  but 
surely  it  is  a mauvais  coup  de  politique  for  one  here 
who  has  hitherto  and  still  wishes  to  command  and 
direct  their  deliberations  from  hence,  to  put  it  in  the 
power  of  any  one  to  weaken  his  command,  and  one 
whom  he  has  reduced  to  beggary,  a Tuscan  whose 
whole  country  he  has  offended.  Albati  will  become 
considerable  from  his  own  merit.  Prince  Craon, 
finding  himself  teazed  with  affairs  which  he  could 
not  understand,  asked  Riehecourt  to  work  for  him. 
The  Princess  foretold  how  it  would  be,  nor  was  she  in 
the  least  mistaken.  The  Florentines  look  upon  this 
as  an  Epoque  worth  observation. 

‘ It  has  not  ceased  four  days  together  raining  since 
the  middle  of  October.  All  Italy  is  under  water, 
which  will  produce  great  misery.  I am  impatient  for 
some  good  weather  to  go  frequently  to  attend  my 
workmen  at  Bracci’s  villa.  What  say  you  to  that 
purchase  ? ’ 

March  12th. — eOn  Wednesday,  we  had  a pompous 
ceremony  for  the  late  Empress  Dowager,  whose 
obsequies  were  performed  in  the  church  of  St. 
Laurence,  a tedious  function  through  which  I was 
forced  to  sit,  having  been  invited  en  ceremonie,  and 
attended  the  whole  time,  by  a person  appointed  by 
the  Regency.  Count  Lorenzi  made  his  excuses,  the 
motive  of  which  is  believed  to  be  his  not  wishing  to 
give  me  place  in  publick,  which  he  must  have  done 
if  I had  thought  of  taking  it,  though  I certainly, 
through  inadvertency,  should  have  let  him  slip  above 
me. 


1751.  THE  BROTHER  OF  MM E.  BE  POMPADOUR.  321 


‘ A.  propos  to  place,  we  have  here  a Monsieur  cle 
Yandi feres,  Madame  de  Pompadour’s  brother,  with 
whom  the  Florentines  make  a great  fuss.  When  he 
was  made  Marquis,  the  French  called  him  le  Marquis 
d’Avant-hier  ! One  of  his  companions,  coming  into 
the  church  on  Wednesday,  asked  a Lorraine  officer  : 
“ Connoissez  vous  Monsieur  de  VandiferesL’ — “ Ouy, 
Monsieur.” — “Scaurez  vous  me  montrer  la  place  qu’on 
luy  a destine  ici  ? ” — “ La  Place  qu’on  lui  a destine  ? 
Oh,  Monsieur,  croyez  vous,  parcequ’il  est  frfere  de 
la  Concubine  du  Roy,  qu’on  lui  a destine  une  place 
ici  ? ” — “ Mais,  Monsieur,  je  croyais  peut-etre  par 
politique.” — Ma  foy,  Monsieur,  9a  serait  le  pousser 
bien  loin  ! ” Upon  which  the  Frenchman  mixed  with 
the  crowd,  to  look  for  this  great  mau.  You  know  his 
name  is  Poisson.  It  is  said  he  addressed  himself  some 
time  ago  to  Marquis  d’Argenson  to  get  him  the  Cordon 
Bleu.  The  Marquis  received  the  proposal  with  sur- 
prise, and  told  him,  “Ma  foy,  Monsieur,  le  Poisson  est 
trop  petit  pour  mettre  au  bleu  ! ” You  know  it  is  a 
particular  way  of  dressing  fish,  and  especially  a Sauce 
for  large  ones.  He  has  with  him  the  Abbe  Blanc, 
who  was  in  England  some  time,  and  has  published 
some  Letters,  “ Sur  les  Anglois.”  ’ 

April  2nd.—  All  that  I can  say  about  Beau 
Wortley  and  the  Duchess  of  Queensberry  is  that  the 
first  is  quite  unaccountable,  as  I don’t  believe  that 
Lady  Mary  supplies  him  with  any  Diamonds  or  money 
to  buy  them  ; she  keeps  them  all  for  her  Lover  with 
whom  she  lives  at  Brescia.  The  Dutchess  is  very 
mad,  and  the  answer  about  her  house  being  like  that 
of  • Socrates,  savours  much  of  the  literature  of  Lady 


VOL.  I. 


T 


322 


MORALS  IN  COURTS. 


1751. 


Pomfret,  who  “ would  not  be  a Curtius  to  jump  into 
a pit  to  save  other  £ women’s’  reputations.” 

£ We  have  had  a report,  whilst  M.  de  Vandieres 
was  gone  to  Leghorn,  that  his  Sister,  Mme.  de  Pom- 
padour, had  left  the  King  of  France.  Others  say 
that  she  retired  only  to  the  Capuchines  to  take  the 
Jubilee,  and  that  it  was  out  of  policy,  knowing  how 
much  His  Christian  Majesty  is  afraid  of  the  Devil, 
that  he  might  not  he  tempted  into  doing  anything 
that  might  displease  his  Confessor,  to  her  disadvantage. 
How  ridiculous  is  this  farce,  and  so  much  the  more  as 
it  is  exhibited  from  a throne. 

£ You  have  heard  of  the  Duke  of  Bouffler’s  death, 
by  an  overturn  in  his  chair.  This  accident  was  not 
the  only  afflicting  circumstance  to  poor  Prince  Craon, 
his  father-in  law.  He  (the  Duke)  had  some  employ- 
ment at  Court  which  gave  occasion  for  his  papers 
being  sealed  up,  and  afterwards  examined  ; when  lo  ! 
a box  of  letters  came  to  light  from  his  wife,  who  was 
as  great  a favourite  with  Stanislaus  (the  ex-King  of 
Poland,  at  Nancy)  as  her  mother,  our  Princess  (de 
Craon),  was  formerly  with  Leopold.  In  these  letters, 
wrote  as  we  may  imagine  with  the  freedom  of  a wife 
to  her  husband,  who  had  given  leave  to  some  familiar 
flippancies,  she  turned  into  ridicule  and  exposed  the 
weaknesses  of  her  royal  lover.  This  shocked  the 
poor  old  man  vastly,  and  it  is  said  that  nothing 
but  the  favour  Prince  Craon  is  in,  can  make  up  the 
matter.  ’ 

April  30th. — £ Dr.  Cocchi’s  opinion  of  the  report 
made  by  the  Physicians  and  Surgeons’  (of  the  fatal 
illness  of  the  Prince  of  Wales)  £ is  that  the  cause  of  his 


1751. 


A WIDOWED  MISTRESS. 


323 


leath  was  formed  in  the  pleurisy  he  had  had  some  time 
before  ; he  says  it  is  impossible  it  shoidd  be  of  a longer 
standing.  Poor  Mr.  Whithed’s  seems  to  have  been 
of  the  same  nature,  though  more  hasty  in  its  effects. 
I have  not  courage  yet  to  undertake  to  give  this 
melancholy  news  to  the  poor  girl,  who  will  be  in 
despair,  for  she  really  adored  him,  and  lived  upon 
the  hopes  of  seeing  him  again,  which  he  always  en- 
couraged. Their  child  is  an  extremely  pretty  girl,  but 
is  too  young  to  be  sensible  of  her  loss.  I lately  sent 
him  her  picture,  at  his  request,  but  T believe  he  could 
not  have  seen  it.’ 

May  — ‘ 1 have  been  forced  to  act  the  part  of 

a Comforter  to  the  Lucchi’  (Whithed’s  mistress)  ‘whose 
despair  made  me  fear  the  worst  of  consequences,  that  of 
turning  her  brain.  I could  not  conceal  from  her  the 
care  he  had  taken  of  her  and  the  child,  thinking  it  the 
properest  method  to  calm  her,  and  to  be  sure  it  must 
have  been  some  consolation,  though  hitherto  she  seems 
only  sensible  to  the  loss  ; but  I am  impatient  to  re- 
ceive a confirmation  of  her  legacy,  not  that  I think 
there  can  be  any  doubt  of  the  authenticity  of  the  copy 
of  the  Will,  which  Mr.  Chute  and  my  brother  saw.  I 
am  sure  Mr.  Chute  will  take  care  of  their  interest  as 
soon  as  he  is  capable  of  attending  to  any  thing. 

‘ The  only  thing  that  has  interested  the  Court  of 
Florence  of  late  is  a number  of  very  low  seditious 
billets  that  were  dispersed  in  the  night,  they  were 
manuscript,  all  by  the  same  hand,  and  only  contained 
words  to  this  effect : “ Coraggio!  o Fiorentini,  risvegliate 
vi ! e tempo  di  farvi  sentire!  (Courage,  Florentines! 
arise  ! It  is  time  to  make  yourselves  be  felt !) — but  they 


324 


THE  PIOUS  LUC  CHI. 


1751. 


had  no  effect,  few  people  were  even  informed  of 
them.  . . . 

‘ . . . The  dread  of  misery  would  add  great  weight 
to  the  affliction  ’ (of  Whithed’s  Italian  mistress)  ‘ though 
she  is  as  yet  totally  indifferent  to  every  other  passion  ; 
as  she  thinks  of  nothing  else  all  day,  so  she  dreams  of 
him  every  night,  which  she  calls  seeing  him,  and,  by  his 
smiling  upon  her,  is  convinced  that  he  is  in  Paradise, 
through  her  intercession  ! She  made  a whole  Convent 
of  Nuns  receive  the  Sacrament  for  that  purpose,  and 
has  ruined  herself  in  Masses  ! “ Si  vedi,”  she  says, 
“ che  li  hanno  fatto  bene.”  (One  sees  they  have  been 
beneficial  to  him.)  Was  I to  deprive  her  of  this 
consolation,  I really  think  she  would  run  mad.  Tell 
Mr.  Chute  of  what  importance  it  is  to  let  them  know 
that  they  will  not  be  reduced  to  want. 

‘.  . . Cardinal  Tencin  has  retired  to  his  Arch- 
bishoprick  at  Lyons.  . . . Previous  to  his  taking  that 
resolution  he  wrote  to  the  Pope  to  acquaint  him  with 
it,  who  lost  not  a moment  to  forbid  him  doing  it,  but 
his  letter  arrived  too  late.  The  Pretender  too  will  be 
disappointed.’ 

July  2nd. — ‘ I have  lately  bought  a very  fine 
picture  for  Lord  Kockingham,  a Guercino  that  he  had 
seen  at  Siena,  and  which  he  and  many  others  had 
offered  money  for.  . . . 

‘ . . . Never  was  any  country  so  altered  as  this ; 
no  society,  nor  any  amusement  to  keep  off  the  Spleen. 

I sometimes  stay  at  home  for  a week  together  for  want 
of  knowing  where  to  go.  ...  I made  the  Lucchi  go 
into  the  country,  and  it  has  had  the  effect  upon  her 
health  that  I hoped.  The  different  objects  have  in  some 


1751. 


COMPULSORY  NATURALIZATION. 


325 


measure  diverted  her  melancholy,  though  she  lives  as 
retired  there  as  she  always  did  in  town.  It  is  very 
uncommon  to  find  so  much  attachment  and  gratitude 
in  that  rank  of  life.’ 

July ‘60th. — ‘I  am  almost  engaged  in  a furious 
quarrel  here  with  Kichecourt  and  his  Clerk  Torna- 
qumei.  . . . The  motive  of  it  is  the  revival  of  a strange 
pretention  started  about  3 years  ago  by  the  Count, 
not  only  to  consider  all  the  English  at  Leghorn  as 
the  Emperor’s  subjects,  but  to  make  them  stile  them- 
selves so  ! The  affair  then  surprized  both  our  King 
and  the  Ministers  and  produced  very  strong  orders 
to  me  to  oppose  so  artfull  and  insiduous  an  insinua- 
tion. I obeyed  them  in  more  gentle  terms,  but 
strong,  and  thought  I had  put  an  end  to  the  Dispute, 
which  however  they  have  now  renewed  with  excessive 
ill  menaces,  all  by  letter  with  Abbe  Tornaquinei,  the 
Secretary  of  State,  who  unfortunately  seems  to  have 
forgot  how  much  he  has  abused  to  me  the  author  of 
that  pretention,  as  absurd  and  tending  to  the  destruc- 
tion of  Leghorn,  though  he  has  now  so  servilely 
obeyed  the  dictates  of  him.  Lorenzi  having  the  same 
orders  from  his  Court  ’ (of  France)  ‘ that  I have  on  this 
point,  and  further  to  act  in  conjunction  with  me,  has 
received  the  same  treatment,  but  however  as  yet  we 
have  the  last  word,  or  rather  the  last  letter,  which  the 
Count  and  his  Abbe  will  find  very  difficult  to  digest. 
We  have  both  been  obliged  to  determine  not  to  treat 
with  Count  Kichecourt  about  any  business  by  word  of 
mouth,  not  to  expose  ourselves  to  impertinences  we 
could  not  bear.  Do  but  imagine  his  telling  me  a little 
while  ago,  when  I told  him  I had  presented  a Memorial 


326 


AN  EPIGRAM. 


1751. 


from  the  Consul  and  English  Merchants  at  Leghorn  to 
the  Secretary  of  State,  in  order  to  be  laid  before  the 
Council,  relating  to  an  affair  of  vast  importance : 
“ Oui,  Monsieur,  j’ai  vu  veritablement  un  papier  qui 
m’a  fait  rire  ! ” — “ Vous  a fait  rire  ? C’est  singulier  qu’il 
eut  procluit  un  si  drole  effet ! ” — Somebody  coming  in 
prevented  the  continuation  of  our  discourse.  Could 
anything  be  more  insolent  ? A Florentine  of  good 
sense  hearing  of  the  changes 7 (in  the  Ministry)  £ in 
England  exclaimed  : “ It  is  only  our  Ministers  that 

are  eternal  ! ” Here  is  an  Epigram  some  Priest  has 
made  upon  Richecourt : — * 

“ Lex  priina  ulcisci,  secunda  est  vivere  raptu, 
Tertia  moechari,  quarta  negare  Deum.”  7 

£ Prince  Craon  used  to  say  ££  C’est  un  malfaisant ! ” 
and  the  late  Electress  used  to  say,  relating  to  the 
affairs  she  had  with  the  Count:  “ Get  homrne  m’em- 
poisonne  tout ! ” . . . 

‘ . . . We  have  crouds  of  English,  and  more  daily 
expected,  I wish  I could  contrive  some  way  to  run 
from  them  ! ’ 

August  20th. — £We  have  a larger  flight  of  Wood- 
cocks this  year  than  has  been  seen  for  many  years 
past ; besides  near  thirty  stareing  boys,  we  have  a 
large  family  of  Lord  Kilmurray  and  his  lady,  who  is 
Aunt  to  your  new  Relation  Mr.  Shirley  ’ (whom  the 
dowager  Lady  Orford  had  recently  married).  £ There 
is  besides,  Mr.  Nightingale,  her  brother,  with  his  son 
and  daughter.  My  Lady  is  almost  a Methodist, 
though  not  quite  a convert  to  his  Sister,  Lady 
Huntingdon.  Miss  Nightingale  has  lived  most  among 


1751.  ENGLISH  MERCHANTS  AT  LEGHORN. 


327 


them,  and  says  she  knows  all  their  misteries,  their 
Hymns,  their  Canticles,  and  their  nonsense.  She  is 
vastly  lively,  and  though  she  has  two  essential  defects 
in  her  person,  she  is  rather  pretty,  but  not  enough  to 
give  the  Florentines  any  idea  of  the  beauties  we  hear 
so  much  talked  of  in  England.  I am  impatient  for 
Mr.  Conway’s  arrival,  to  give  them  a better  idea 
at  least  of  our  young  men.  ’ 

September  24 th. — ‘ I concluded  a strong  Memorial 
1 made  a few  days  ago,  by  order,  with  the  expression’ 
(referring  to  the  claim  made  by  the  Imperial  Govern- 
ment at  Vienna  to  reduce  the  British  merchants  at 
Leghorn  to  the  status  of  Austrian  subjects) — ‘“This 
pretension  is  contrary  to  ancient  and  universal  usage, 
and  opposed  to  all  the  rules  of  the  rights  of  nations.” 

‘ The  joy  for  the  birth  of  the  Due  de  Bourgogne  is 
not  to  be  confined  to  France.  Count  Lorenzi  has 
orders  de  faire  une  fete  which  he  designs  shall  be  a 
Ball,  in  which  he  may  spend  if  he  pleases  more  than 
the  4000  livres  which  have  been  allowed  him  on  this 
occasion.  His  Countess  will  shine  for  the  honour 
of  the  King  her  Master,  which  expression  she  has  so 
much  adopted  that,  at  Cards,  when  she  plays  a King, 
she  says,  “ Ecco  ! il  Be,  mio  Signore  ! ” ’ 

October  8 th. — ‘We’  (Mann  and  the  Council  at 
Florence)  ‘ are  upon  very  formal  terms  since  the 
Memorial  which  I presented.  Violent  dispatches  have 
been  sent  to  Vienna  with  strong  advices  to  the 
Emperor  not  to  part  with  his  English  subjects, 
“ because,  to  yield  on  this  point  would  be  the  ruin  of 
the  commerce  of  Leghorn.”  You  must  know  that 
the  Emperor  is  fond  of  commerce,  and  they  tickle  his 


328 


LADY  M.  W.  MONTAGU. 


1751. 


ears  with  it  upon  all  occasions.  I told  the  person 
that  mentioned  the  above  expression  to  me,  that  there 
seemed  to  be  a small  mistake,  for  that  if  the  Emperor 
did  not  yield,  it  would  produce  the  ruin  of  the  com- 
merce of  Leghorn;  or  that,  if  the  English  did,  it  would 
be  their  ruin  ; but  there  is  no  danger  of  their  exposing 
themselves  to  that  risk,  assurances  of  which  I am  to 
send  home  by  this  post  in  their  name,  and  that  they 
are  too  sensible  of  the  blessings  they  enjoy  as  the 
King’s  subjects  ever  to  think  of  becoming  those  of 
the  Great  Duke,  or  to  swerve  in  the  least  from  their 
Duty  and  Allegiance  to  His  Majesty. 

‘ A Gentleman  tells  me  that  some  time  after  Lady 
Mary’  (Wortley  Montagu)  ‘had  been  at  Brescia,  the 
opinion  prevailed  that  she  was  kept  in  durance  by  her 
young  officer ; the  Governor  or  Commissary  there 
invited  her  to  dinner,  on  purpose  to  enquire  into  it, 
with  offers  to  free  her ; but  she  said  her  confinement 
was  voluntary.  Since,  however,  she  wrote  to  Madame 
Micheli,  with  whom  she  had  always  been  in  cor- 
respondence, to  take  leave  of  her,  alleging  that  her 
lover  would  not  permit  her  to  write  or  receive  any 
letter  without  his  seeing  it.’ 

November  2 6 th. — In  this  letter  Mann  describes 
the  government  at  Florence  as  ‘ solely  directed  by 
ltichecourt,  whose  servile  colleagues  never  publickly 
oppose  his  decisions,  however  arbitrary  or  absurd  ; and 
though  they  frequently  expose  themselves  to  share  the 
disapprobation  which  comes  from  Vienna  . . . they 
rejoice  with  their  intimates  out  of  hatred  to  him;’ 
but,  says  the  writer,  ‘ for  the  common  transactions  of 
the  town  they  are  all  confined  to  the  knowledge  of 


1751. 


CHANGES  IN  CIC ISBN 0 SHIP. 


329 


what  Cicisbeos  have  been  displaced  and  what  new 
establishments  have  been  made.  The  great  news  of 
this  kind  is  that  Madame  Acciajuoli,  who  immediately 
after  the  departure  of  her  joined  Cicisbeos,  Mr.  Pelham 
and  Milbank,  took  to  Jacky  Langlois,  whom  the 
town  thought  an  unworthy  successor,  has  now  turned 
him  off  for  a young  Marquis.  Pucci  succeeded 
Lord  Rockingham  with  the  S iris  tori  whom  that  Pucci 
has  abandoned  abruptly  without  a just  cause,  con- 
sequently has  offended  against  le  Legge  d’  Amicizia, 
as  Madame  Acciajuoli  has  done  likewise  with  regard 
to  her  friend  the  young  and  handsome  Siristori,  by 
debauching  her  Cavaliere  servente  from  her.  These 
are  the  circumstances  that  employ  the  gay  Florentine 
world.  An  English  traveller  frequently  deranges  the 
whole  harmony  of  Cicisbeoship.’ 

‘ We  have  here  two  great  admirers  of  England, 
Niccolini  and  your  friend  the  Chevalier  Lorenzi,  who 
talk  of  nothing  else  . . . Lorenzi  ’ (brother  of  the 
Count  Lorenzi  who  represented  France  at  the  Tuscan 
Court)  ‘ sticks  to  the  degagee  English  mode  of  a frock 
in  the  morning.  About  Lady  Mary  Wortley,  I will 
try  to  get  other  informations.  Niccolini  has  promised 
to  help  me  ; his  correspondence  is  universal,  and  he 
has  a vanity  in  instructing  me  about  the  English  and 
everything  that  relates  to  England.’ 

December  3rd. — ‘ Notwithstanding  all  my  pre- 
cautions, Mr.  Conway  lay  one  night  at  the  English 
Inn,  where  he  was  arrived  before  I knew  he  had  left 
Leghorn.  Next  morning  I brought  him  here,  and  he 
is  now  lodged  in  your  Appartment.  . . . He  made 
some  resistance,  nor  yielded  till  I threatened  to 
complain  to  you. 


330 


ME.  CONWAY. 


1751. 


‘ I am  sorry  that  the  season  of  the  year  admits  of 
no  diversion,  and  that  everybody  is  still  in  the  country 
to  profit  of  the  finest  Autumn  we  have  had  for  many 
years.  Devotion  only  will  bring  them  back,  which 
will  at  the  same  time  make  them  inaccessible,  the 
nearer  we  approach  to  Christmas.’ 

December  2 6th. — ‘ I am  so  happy  with  Mr. 
Conway,  that  I can  almost  figure  to  myself  the  happy 
time  1 passed  with  you  here.  He  inhabits  the  same 
Appartment,  and  1 the  same  I did  then.  By  this 
means,  since  the  great  alterations  I have  made,  we 
divide  the  whole  house  and  are  both  at  large  His 
great  Antechamber  is  the  Assembly  Room  twice  a 
week,  to  which  he  ushers  forth  when  he  is  tired  of 
translating,  or  other  retired  occupations  in  which 
nobody  interrupts  him.  I leave  him  after  breakfast, 
which  commonly  passes  in  Italian  and,  unless  by 
accident  we  go  out  together  in  the  morning,  I seldom 
see  him  till  three  o’clock  at  dinner.  Lord  Stormont  is 
frequently  with  us  then,  and  we  do  not  separate  till 
about  5,  for  an  hour  or  two,  till  it  is  time  to  go  to 
some  Conversation,  after  which  we  return  to  supper 
tete  a tete,  and  seldom  separate  till  one. 

‘ He  is  vastly  desirous  of  improving  himself  in 
Italian,  which  however  he  knows  a good  deal  of  and 
only  wants  practice  for  the  common  terms  and  phrases. 

. . . He  will  perhaps  go  as  far  as  Turin  to  meet  Lady 
Ailesbury,  and  I hope  bring  her  hither.  He  is  averse 
to  carrying  her  to  Mahon,  though  she  seems  to  prefer 
that  place  to  any  other  without  him,  and  if  he  should 
be  obliged  to  return  hither,  it  will  cause  a little 
amorous  contract  (sic)  between  them,  as  he  does  not 


1751. 


GENTLEMEN’S  GENTLEMEN. 


381 


think  the  air  of  that  place  good  enough  for  her ; 
and  if  she  was  to  know  that  reason,  she  would  pique 
herself  upon  sharing  any  danger  with  him.  If  she 
is  as  good  as  he  is,  they  must  he  a happy  couple.’ 

1752. 

January  7th.  — Mr.  Conway  is  to  set  out  to- 
morrow for  Rome  and  Naples.  On  his  return,  he 
will  pass  as  much  time  here  as  circumstances  then 
will  admit  of.  I wish  they  may  be  such  as  to  permit 
Lady  Ailesbury  to  meet  him  here,  as  I think  no 
place  can  be  perfectly  agreeable  to  him  without  her.’ 
(Mr.  Conway  and  Lord  Stormont  were,  according  to 
Mann,  two  of  the  most  perfect  gentlemen  that  ever 
came  from  England  into  Italy.) 

January  28th. — ‘ You  ask  me  what  an  Uorno  nero 
is.  “ Uomo  nero  ” is  a general  term  for  all  servants 
out  of  livery ; what  we  call  a gentleman  servant,  but 
you  know  the  Italians  won’t  allow  the  least  tincture 
of  gentilizia  to  those  under  the  rank  of  Cavaliere  ; all 
others  are  at  most  persons  civili.  They  are  vastly 
astonished  to  hear  Lady  Kilmurray  who  (as  Mr.  Chute 
said  of  Mrs.  Goldworthy)  talks  from  hand  to  mouth, 
talk  of  il  Gentiluomo  di  My  Lord ; but  she  translated 
backwards  and  forwards  into  all  the  languages  she 
knew.  Marquis  Niccolini  she  called  My  Lord,  in 
English,  and  by  as  literal  a translation  into  French, 
called  Count  Salins,  Monseigneur,  and  yet  she  lived 
in  France  with  Lady  Ferrers,  her  mother,  great  part 
of  her  younger  days. 

‘ Marquis  Tempi  died  a few  days  ago  of  an 


332 


WIT  AND  IMPERTINENCE. 


1752. 


apoplexy ; his  family  and  relations  are  the  more 
afflicted  as  it  deprives  them  of  the  pleasures  of  the 
Carnival.  You  may  remember  him  by  the  connection 
he  had  with  your  friend  the  Marchese  Albizzi,  whose 
mother’s  Cicisbeo  he  had  been  for  30  years.  A 
death  however  much  more  important  to  the  publick 
at  the  present  season  is  that  of  our  Impresario  of  the 
Opera,  and  husband  to  the  first  woman,  which  it 
was  feared  would  interrupt  it,  at  least  till  another 
had  learnt  her  part  ; but  the  poor  creature  not  only 
sung  two  hours  after  he  died  (though  she  then  only 
knew  that  he  was  in  agony)  but  continues.  I luckily 
thought  of  proposing  to  make  a benefit  night  for  her, 
which  has  been  accepted,  and  I hope  will  produce  a 
good  deal ; for  she  is  left  with  two  children  and  is 
miserable.’ 

Among  the  swaggering  young  Englishmen,  unlike 
the  Conways,  Stormonts,  and  some  others  who  came 
under  Mann’s  view  in  Florence,  was  a Mr.  Vernon  who, 
— Admiral  Vernon  being  then  in  fashion, — passed 
himself  off  as  the  Admiral’s  nephew^.  ‘ We  heard 
afterwards,’  (says  Mann,  March  10th)  ‘that  being  in 
France  with  some  company’  (in  1740)  ‘the  dis- 
course did  not  please  him,  upon  which  he  abruptly 
said,  “ Finissons,  ce  discours  m’ennuie  ! ” to  which  a 
French  gentleman  replied  : “ Eh  bien  ! Monsieur,  si 
ce  discours  vous  ennuie,  vous  n’avez  qu’a  lever  le  siege 
comme  a fait  Monsieur  votre  Oncle  ” — the  news  of 
which  ’ (the  affair  at  Carthagena)  ‘ had  just  reached 
Paris.  . . . 

‘ . . . Count  Lorenzi  did  himself  great  honour  by 
having  a son  within  the  year  of  his  marriage  ; but 


1752. 


DEATH  OF  MANN'S  FATHER. 


333 


unluckily  the  child  died  a few  days  ago,  by  the 
carelessness  of  his  nurse.  The  Count’s  disappointment 
was  great.  Richecourt,  to  console  him,  said  “ vous 
n’avez  perdu  que  la  fapon.”  . . .’  Soon  after  this  joke, 
Mann,  hearing  of  the  death  of  his  father,  wrote 
thus  : — ‘ From  a Villa  near  Florence,  March  31st.  I 
borrowed  this  little  villa  of  Dr.  Cocchi,  both  to  avoid 
the  troublesome  ceremonies  which  are  practised  in  this 
country,  on  the  death  of  so  near  a relation,  and  to 
dissipate  the  melancholly  reflections  which  naturally 
arise  from  the  prospect  of  my  future  situation.  The 
house  is  annexed  to  a Church,  and  the  country  people 
are  vastly  edified  by  my  curiosity,  by  peeping  through 
the  windows  of  a closet,  to  see  the  ceremonies  of  the 
Holy  Week,  which  they  attributed  to  Devotion  ; but 
were  vastly  scandalized  to  hear  that  the  same  day 
I had  a chicken  for  my  dinner,  which  all  Florence 
soon  knew,  and  which  was  echoed  back  to  me  as  the 
news  of  the  town,  where  people  have  nothing  to 
employ  themselves  about,  except  the  notions  of  Mr. 
St.  Odil  who  is  going  Minister  to  Rome  to  give  more 
power  to  the  Priests  and  Inquisition.  He  was  always 
the  greatest  antagonist  at  Vienna  of  Richecourt,  who 
is  vastly  jealous  of  him  here,  and  excludes  everybody 
from  him.’ 

May  5th. — Mann  had  early  in  the  year  sent  his 
portrait,  by  Astley,  to  Walpole  ; after  praise  of  the 
painter,  he  writes  : — ‘ Astley  has  furnished  my  great 
room  with  some  excellent  copies,  particularly  one  of 
Lord  Rockingham’s  G-uercino,  which  I purchased 
for  him  at  Sienna.  . . . Your  old  friend,  Louis  (?) 
came  accidentally  to  me  yesterday,  to  show  me  a 


A GUEIICINO,  BY  AST  LEY. 


1752. 


33t 


small  picture  of  Correggio,  for  which  he  asks  a 
thousand  crowns,  and  casting  his  eye  upon  that  copy, 
cried  out  with  admiration:  “he!  voila  done  ce 
fameux  Guercin ! ” which,  by  its  reputation,  he  had 
been  about  formerly  buying.  I let  him  draw  himself 
into  the  terrible  scrape  of  praising  it,  for  a quarter  of 
an  hour,  for  its  preservation,  etc.,  etc.,  and  then 
mortified  him  vastly  by  gently  hinting  to  him  his 
mistake,  which  he  excused  by  his  not  having  had  his 
spectacles,  “ Sans  quoy,  Monsieur,  vous  comprenez  bien 
que  je  ne  me  serois  point  trompe  ! ” Don’t  however 
raise  Astley’s  vanity  by  mentioning  this,  or  let  my 
Lord  know  that  I had  his  picture  copied.  I am  not 
quite  convinced  it  was  right,  without  his  leave,  which 
there  was  no  time  to  ask.’ 

June  31  St.- — ‘ Our  tranquility  has  been  a little 
disturbed  . . . there  is  actually  a Rebellion  in  Tunis. 

. . . The  old  Bey  has  got  possession  of  a fort  towards 
the  sea,  which  gives  him  an  opportunity  to  block  up 
the  town  that  way,  as  he  had  done  before  by  land. 
His  Rebel  Son  is  master  of  the  chief  fortress  in  the 
town,  and  has  lately  discovered  a large  quantity  of 
nitre,  with  which  he  daily  makes  as  much  gunpowder 
as  he  wants,  of  which  he  had  none  before.  He  has 
carried  all  the  provisions  into  his  castle,  for  the 
maintenance  of  his  troops,  which  has  almost  occa- 
sioned a famine  in  the  town. 

‘ The  Tripolins,  having  offended  the  French  Court, 
by  seizing  one  of  their  vessels,  a small  Escadre  was 
sent  there  to  demand  satisfaction  and  the  head  of 
a French  Renegado,  which  was  peremptorily  refused; 
upon  which  the  Commandant  of  their  ships  acquainted 


1752. 


SIX  LIVES  FOE  ONE. 


335 


the  Bey  that  he  would  send  for  the  ships  that  waited 
his  orders  at  Malta,  to  joyn  him  and  bombard  the 
town.  This  threat  had  the  proper  effect.  The  Bey 
desired  time  to  consider  of  it  till  the  next  morning, 
and  then  sent  him  a message  that  he  would  give 
him  ^ zecchins,  as  an  indemnification  for  the  French 
vessel  that  had  been  taken,  and  that  as  he  had  not 
authority  to  punish  the  Renegado,  or  give  him  up,  he 
hoped  the  French  King  would,  in  lieu  of  him,  accept 
six  of  his  subjects  who  were  slaves  ; and  promised 
at  the  same  time  that  the  other  should  never  be 
employed  on  board  his  ships,  or  permitted  to  go  to 
sea,  on  pain  of  death.  The  French  Commander 
accepted  of  those  conditions  (!)  and  immediately 
despatched  notice  to  different  ports  that  his  country- 
men might  continue  their  trade  to  the  Levant,  which 
this  accident  had  interrupted.  Many  of  their  vessels 
had  taken  refuse  at  Leghorn.  I am  afraid  that  our 
reparation  was  not  so  compleat  for  a much  greater 
offence,  in  taking  a rich  paquet  boat  from  Lisbon. 

‘.  . . We  are  at  the  eve  of  some  events  that  people 
pretend  may  produce  others.  It  is  said  that  the 
Empress  has  consented  that  a body  of  her  troops, 
10  Batallions  and  6 Squadrons,  should  live  in 
Tuscany,  merely  for  the  good  of  the  country,  and 
that  they  are  actually  assembling  in  Lombardy  for 
that  purpose.’ 

August  1 1th. — ‘We  have  now  such  crouds  of 
English  of  both  sexes  that  I have  not  a moment  to 
myself.  Upon  a muster  yesterday,  I think  there 
were  four  or  five  and  thirty.  The  females  are  Mrs. 
Arbuthnot  and  her  sister,  who  has  not  been  used  to 


336 


UNWELCOME  GUESTS. 


1752. 


the  world,  and  therefore  “ don’t  cliuse  to  go  into  it, 
but  prefer  the  society  of  their  honest  countrymen  to 
all  the  Italians  whatsomdever.”  The  other  is  rather 
a fine  Lady  of  Kentish  breed,  refined  in  France,  from 
whence  she  has  brought  the  newest  modes.  She  is 
young  and  rather  pretty.  Her  husband  is  a rich  West 
Indian,  Mr.  Young  by  name,  who,  I hear,  has  made  a 
great  figure  in  England,  which,  I am  told,  makes 
travelling  necessary,  in  point  of  economy.  He  makes 
a figure  however  here,  and  has  a Concert  once  a week 
at  his  house.  I have  Danes  and  Saxons  too  recom- 
mended to  me  ; in  short,  I never  had  so  many  people 
on  my  hands  at  once.  It  is  quite  ridiculous  to  see  me 
at  the  head  of  a train,  at  Count  Richecourt’s,  or 
marching  into  an  Assembly.  He  takes  no  further 
notice  of  them,  after  a polite  reception,  but  any 
Minister  who  would  undertake  all  the  English  ought 
to  have  separate  appointments.  I cannot  avoid  ruin- 
ing myself.’ 

In  a letter  of  August  31st,  Mann  returns  to  his 
‘roaring,  rich  West  Indian,  Young,  who  talks  of  his 
money,  and  swaggers  in  his  gate  as  if  both  his  coat 
pockets  were  full  of  it.  He  buys  pictures  upon  his 
own  judgment,  and  declares  it  to  be  better  than 
any  body’s.  Hugford,  the  English  painter,  allows 
the  assertion,  since  Young  gave  him  two  hundred 
zecc-hins  for  a Danae,  which  Hugford  calls  a Titian  ! 
The  picture  is  allowed  to  have  merit,  but  it  has  been 
so  often  washed  and  retouched  that  one  does  not 
know  whose  to  call  it.  The  great  Mengs,  whom  Sir 
Hanbury  Williams  recommended  to  me,  on  Mengs’ 
way  to  Rome,  to  work  for  his  master,  the  King  of 


1752. 


A WEST  INDIAN. 


337 


Poland,  nob  only  denys  the  originality  of  it,  but  said  it 
was  worth  nothing.  Mr.  Young  has  heard  of  this,  and 

says  that  Mengs  must  be  the  most  D d ignorant 

fellow  in  the  world,  for  said  he  “I  will  assert  and 
lay  any  man  a thousand  pounds  that  it  is  much  better 
than  the  Venus  in  the  Tribuna.”  You  will  certainly 
hear  much  talk  of  it  when  it  arrives  in  England,  and 
probably  be  tempted  to  go  to  see  it.  In  the  meantime, 
speak  to  Astley  about  it,  who  knows  the  picture 
extremely  well.  You  may  then  see  Mr.  Young’s 
Organ,  which  cost  him  three  thousand  pounds,  and 
his  electrical  instruments  which  cost  forty  thousand 
pounds  ; but  he  must  retrench,  he  says,  because  the 
late  Hurricane  did  so  much  harm  to  his  Sugar-canes, 
that  he  shan’t  receive  above  one  third  of  his  Estate  ; 
not  above  £j  this  year. 

'Nobody  enjoys  this  swaggerer  more  than  the 
present  Lord  Bruce,  whom  I love  extremely,  for  the 
great  regard  with  which  he  speaks  of  Mr.  Conway 
and  Lady  Ailesbury.  Young  has  heard  of  the  report 
of  the  claim  which  the  Luke  of  Somerset  is  to  make 
to  part  of  his  Estate,  but  seems  persuaded  that  no- 
thing can  come  of  it.  Should  it,  however,  go  on,  he 
intends  to  set  out  immediately  for  England.’ 

A great  proportion  of  the  remainder  of  this  letter 
deals  with  more  exalted  individuals  than  swaggering 
West  Indians.  In  Florence,  for  example  : — 

‘ . . . The  Duke  of  Marlborough,  I suppose,  is  very 
glad  that  Lord  Somers’s  papers,  which  were  in  the 
hands  of  Mr.  Yorke,  have  been  burnt.  Prince  Craon 
assured  me  often  that  he  had  seen  a pardon  signed 
by  the  Pretender,  for  the  late  Duke.  You  know  the 


VOL.  I. 


z 


388 


THE  STUART  FAMILY. 


1752, 


former  lived  in  Craon’s  house,  for  some  time,  in 
Lorraine.  There  have  been  great  embroils  in  the 
Pretender’s  house  at  Rome,  which  have  produced, 
they  say,  a total  separation  of  Cardinal  York  from 
his  father,  in  spite  of  all  the  pains  which  the  Pope 
took  to  bring  about  a reconciliation.  He  has  now 
given  that  commission  to  Cardinal  Doria,  at  Bologna, 
where  the  young  Cardinal  has  fixt  his  Residence,  with 
a firm  resolution,  it  is  said,  not  to  return  to  Rome,  but 
upon  conditions  of  being  permitted  to  live  alone,  and 
to  have  the  sole  and  independent  management  of  his 
own  Revenues.  Some  people  believe  that  Cardinal 
York  will  be  made  perpetual  Legate  of  Bologna ; but 
I own,  I cannot  think  that  the  other  Cardinals  will 
permit  the  Pope  to  deprive  some  of  them,  York’s 
successors,  of  so  considerable  a Government,  to  raise 
as  it  were  a Principality  for  him.  If  this  should 
ever  happen,  I shall  be  inclined  to  believe  that  the 
Chevalier  and  his  Son  have  condescended  to  quarrel 
in  appearance,  and  that  they  have  more  policy  than 
the  world  has  hitherto  thought  them  capable  of. 

‘ The  Report  of  the  Eldest  Son’s  having  changed 
his  religion  is  dropt,  but  not  contradicted.  Nothing 
was  ever  more  publickly  talked  of  at  Rome,  for  some 
time,  so  that  nothing  less  then  a publick  profession  of 
his  Faith  will  be  sufficient  to  satisfy  the  scruples  which 
that  report  has  raised.  Perhaps,  he  may  now  go  to 
Rome  to  make  it,  as  some  Politicians  pretend  that  the 
Cardinal’s  retreat  to  Bologna  was  on  purpose  to  give 
his  brother  an  opportunity  to  make  a visit  to  his  father, 
without  breaking  his  oath  of  not  meeting  his  brother  in 
that  habit.  Stosch  is  still  positively  of  opinion  that 


1752. 


THE  ESTERHAZYS. 


539 


the  young  Pretender  does  not  exist,  though  he  is 
forced  to  write  about  him,  every  week.’ 

The  letters  which  chronicle  the  incidents  towards 
the  close  of  the  year  are  half  mirthful,  half  melan- 
choly. Among  the  sadder  circumstances  may  be 
noted  the  deaths  of  Marquis  Riccardi  and  his  son, 
within  four  days  of  each  other.  ‘ The  family  is  quite 
decayed,  and  the  creditors  in  the  greatest  confusion. 
Marquis  Rinuncini  is  now  the  great  man  of  Florence. 
They  say  he  has  above  ^ crowns  a year,  which  he 
spends  chiefly  in  the  country,  where  at  the  head  of 
a hundred  low  dependants  he  makes  the  greatest 
figure.  He  has  plays  acted  by  his  children,  and  great 
feastings  continually  for  sycophants.’ 

The  greatest  ‘ feasting  ’ however  which  Florence 
had  witnessed  or  enjoyed  for  many  years,  was  on  the 
occasion  of  the  visit  of  the  Prince  and  Princess 
Esterhazy  ‘ to  whom  the  whole  town  was  by  order  of 
the  emperor  to  show  all  possible  attentions;  he  was 
received  by  a discharge  of  the  cannons,  and  was  per- 
mitted to  lodge  at  the  house  Prince  Craon  lived  in, 
this  is  all  the  Court  has  done  for  him,  but  it  has 
roused  the  nobility,  who  vye  with  each  other  in  giving 
him  feasts  of  all  kinds,  of  which  I have  partaken.  The 
first  was  a great  cold  maigre  dinner  at  the  chevalier 
Antinori’s,  one  of  our  Regents,  at  which  the  whole 
company,  consisting  of  24  people,  were  starved  with 
cold  and  Hunger.  Pandolfini  gave  a much  better  en 
gras  a few  days  after,  but  the  excessive  cold  of  the 
Hall  in  which  we  dined  gave  me  a head  ach,  that 
obliged  me  to  keep  in  bed  for  24  hours  afterwards. 
My  friend  Madame  Antinori,  sister  to  your  friend  the 


340 


BANQUETS. 


1752. 


Griffoni,  gave  a very  handsome  ball ; Marquis  Corri 
gave  a much  finer  and  a supper  to  the  whole  company, 
which  was  the  largest  as  well  as  the  finest  entertain- 
ment I ever  saw ; the  table  was  served  in  his  fine 
Gallery.  The  ladies  and  distinguished  men  only  were 
seated,  but  above  two  hundred  others  stood  behind 
in  four  rows,  and  all  were  fed.  Most  of  the  principal 
dishes  were  changed  three  times,  the  Prince  and 
Princess  were  surprised  at  the  magnificence  and  order 
of  the  whole  entertainment,  which  broke  up  about  4 to 
give  place  again  to  the  Ball,  which  lasted  till  seven  in 
the  morning.  The  company  had  hardly  time  to  recover 
a sufficient  stock  of  spirits  to  dance  the  next  evening 
at  the  Neapolitan  Minister’s,  who  brought  himself  to 
great  shame,  by  the  vilest  festin  that  was  ever  given. 
He  is  the  same  Viviani  whom  you  may  remember  to 
have  seen  at  Prince  Craon’s,  and  who  deserted  to  the 
Spaniards  on  Montemar’s  arrival  in  Italy,  for  which 
he  would  have  been  confined  in  a fortress  had  they 
caught  him — he  afterwards  went  into  Spain,  and  was 
employed  at  Court  as  a language  Master,  from  thence 
he  returned  to  Naples,  and  got  some  little  employ- 
ment, which  not  being  sufficient  to  keep  him,  he 
contrived  to  be  named  a sort  of  Minister  here  only  to 
live  in  Tuscany,  without  any  appointments  however 
and  no  other  credentials  than  a letter  from  Marquis 
Toglieni  to  Count  Richecourt,  but  the  desire  of  figur- 
ing as  a minister,  engaged  him,  in  spite  of  his  ruined 
circumstances,  and  the  want  of  the  most  common 
furniture  in  his  house  (all  which  he  had  sold  some 
time  ago),  to  give  a fete  to  Prince  Esterhazy,  the  most 
shattered  ill  composed  matter  you  ever  saw,  and  quite 


1752. 


DUKE  LEOPOLD  OF  LORRAINE. 


341 


the  disgrace  of  ministerhood.  The  next  morning  they 
set  out  for  Pisa  and  Leghorn,  and  at  the  former  place 
received  an  invitation  by  a nobile  Lucchese  from  the 
Kepublick  to  go  there,  where  the  greatest  honours  are 
to  be  shewn  them.  They  are  expected  back  to-morrow, 
and  every  day  during  their  stay  is  to  be  distinguished 
by  some  great  entertainment.  The  Princess  is  very 
unlike  your  favourite  Princess  Craon  in  person,  having 
no  pretence  to  beauty,  though  much  younger,  but  is 
vastly  obliging — she  is  originally  of  Milanese  extrac- 
tion, Lunati,  but  born  in  Loraine,  her  Father  having 
been  invited  there  by  Leopold  who  would  have  given 
the  preference  to  Madame  Lunati,  who  they  say  was 
much  handsomer,  but  her  husband  less  complaisant. 
She  seeing  the  inclination  of  the  Duke,  desired  her 
husband  to  carry  her  immediately  from  his  Court, 
telling  him  that  she  would  not  otherwise  answer  for 
her  virtue  ; this  shocked  him  immensely,  and  threw 
him  into  a melancholy  which  Leopold  soon  observed 
and  asked  the  reason  of.  Mon1'  Lunati  hesitated  for 
some  time,  and  then  told  him  that  the  motive  was, 
the  necessity  he  found  himself  under,  after  all  the 
favors  and  honours  he  had  received  from  his  Highness, 
to  ask  his  leave  to  retire.  This  excited  his  curiosity 
still  more,  which  Mr.  Lunati  satisfied  by  protesting 
to  him  that  his  life  and  everything  he  possessed  was 
at  the  Duke’s  disposition  except  his  wife.  “ Je  vous 
entends,  restez;  vous  n’aurez  pas  lieu  de  vous  plaindre 
de  moy  sur  ce  sujet.”  And  immediately  attached 
himself  where  he  found  no  such  scruples.  This 
anecdote  I think  you  will  not  be  displeased  to  know.’ 
At  a time  when  in  English  society  ‘there  were 


342 


ACTING  AND  PLAYING. 


1752. 


three  who  loved  their  neighbours’  wives,  and  one  who 
loved  his  own,’  there  was  a scandalous  affair  in 
England,  in  which  the  name  of  Mr.  Child,  brother  of 
Lord  Tilney,  was  unpleasantly  prominent.  Mr.  Child 
left  England  with  some  precipitation,  ‘but,’  says  Mann, 
‘ this  can  be  of  no  great  consequence  to  him,  if  he  had 
time  to  secure  the  money  which  he  had  in  the  funds.’ 
Mann  consoled  Lord  Tilney,  who  was  then  in  Florence, 
by  remarking  that  ‘ it  would  only  be  an  obligation  to 
his  brother  to  live  abroad  till  the  affair  could  be  made 
up.’  He  proceeds  to  say:  ‘The  Italians  are  astonished 
that  the  laws  in  England  punish  so  severely  in  cases 
of  this  kind.  . . . They  look  upon  the  woman  only 
to  be  in  fault,  and  such  an  one  here  would  be  punished 
by  confinement  to  a Villa,  or  be  put  into  a convent  at 
worst.’  Then,  addressing  himself  to  the  subject  of  the 
drama,  he  observes  : — ‘ Portici  acts  Tragedies  and 
Comedies,  but  in  the  former  he  is  far  short  of  the 
encomiums  which  Garrick  and  others  gave  him  in 
England.  In  short,  he  is  Signor  Anselmo  or  Pan- 
crazio  in  every  heroick  character.  His  wife  will  not 
condescend  to  act  plays,  which  she  thinks  are  beneath 
a burletta,  and  says  it  would  be  turning  histrione, 
under  which  denomination  she  stiles  every  performance 
not  in  musick.  This  difference  in  opinion  has  made 
a total  separation  between  them.  She  sings  at  Leg- 
horn ; and  he  acts  at  Florence.’  Signora  Portici 
thought  her  husband  was,  to  use  Edmund  Kean’s 
words  applied  to  Macready,  ‘ not  an  actor,  but  a 
player.’ 


1753. 


DUELLING. 


343 


CHAPTER  XV. 

1753. 

Before  the  Spring,  Mann  was  engaged  in  endeavours 
to  stop  the  acting  of  a drama  which  might  have 
proved  a real  tragedy.  On  March  23rd,  he  writes 
‘ All  the  steps  which  the  Regency  and  I were  taking 
to  prevent  a duel  ’ (between  Captain  Lee  and  ‘ a 
Lorraine  Officer  ’)  ‘ were  frustrated  by  the  animosity 
of  the  military  gentry,  according  to  whose  Ideas, 
the  extinction  of  one  of  the  parties  is  necessary,  or 
at  least  a vast  quantity  of  blood  to  wash  off  a slap 
on  the  face ; but  in  this  they  have  been  disappointed 
in  their  turn,  for  though  the  two  Heroes  acted  up 
to  those  notions,  Fortune  directed  that  just  as  much 
harm  should  be  done  and  no  more  than  was  absolutely 
necessary  to  finish  the  affair.  Lee  was  wounded  in 
his  arm  with  a sword,  and  near  three  hours  after- 
wards disabled  his  antagonist  with  a pistol.  The 
Lorraine  officer  returned  to  Florence  to  take  refuge 
in  a Church,  where  he  still  remains,  to  secure  himself 
from  the  resentment  of  the  Regency,  for  going  out 
of  the  town  contrary  to  their  orders,  and  of  which 
crime  the  Emperor  himself  is  now  to  judge.  Lee 
would  have  returned  to  Bologna,  whence  he  proceeded 


344 


HONOUR. 


1753. 


to  fight,  but  the  Cardinal  Legate  reflecting  to  be  sure 
that  an  Excommunication  which  ipso  facto  he  in- 
curred was  of  little  signification,  would  have  nothing 
to  do  with  an  Heretick,  therefore  notified  to  him  that 
he  must  not  stay  in  the  State  which  he  had  so  highly 
insulted,  so  that  Lee,  who  was  then  very  ill,  was 
obliged  to  proceed  to  Venice,  where  repose  and  proper 
care  of  his  wound  has  almost  put  him  in  a position 
to  proceed  on  his  journey  to  England.  It  is  quite 
ridiculous,  but  still  quite  agreeable  to  form,  to  see 
with  what  cordiality  they  enquire  after  each  other’s 
health,  and  how  much  they  seem  to  interest  them- 
selves for  each  other’s  recovery.  The  family  of  the 
Lorraine  Officer  think  their  honour  recovered  ; the 
Regency,  as  well  as  myself,  is  pleased  that  no  more 
harm  has  happened,  the  Corps  Militaire  is  satisfied, 
and  nothing  now  remains  but  to  see  how  the  Emperor 
will  take  it.’  Meanwhile,  Mann,  after  long  references 
to  English  politics  and  to  Walpole’s  life  at  Strawberry, 
takes  care  to  notify  the  fact,  that  ‘ Madame  Riche- 
court  is  here  greatly  improved  by  wearing  stays  in 
England.  I feasted  her  largely  last  Sunday,  which 
has  drawn  on  other  entertainments.’ 

Among  the  more  expensive  of  those  entertain- 
ments are  to  be  reckoned  the  banquets  to  Prince  San 
Severino,  who  tarried  in  Florence  when  on  his  way  as 
Ambassador  from  the  King  of  Naples  to  the  King 
of  England.  £ I have  feasted  him  every  day  ’ (writes 
Mann,  April  6th),  ‘ and  attended  him  to  Conversations 
every  night.  He  was  recommended  to  me  by  Cardinal 
Albani,  not  out  of  form  only  but  as  his  friend  de  tout 
son  coeur.  . . . After  dinner  yesterday,  I carried  the 


1753. 


SEEING  COMPANY. 


345 


Prince  and  Viviani  (the  Neapolitan  Minister)  to  the 
Porta  San  Gallo  where  Viviani  desired  him  to  take 
particular  notice  of  the  triumphal  arch,  which,  he 
assured  him,  was  begun  and  finished  in  one  day,  or 
twenty-four  hours,  at  most.  I started  at  this,  and  only 
replied  non  tanto  presto,  but  he  stuck  to  his  assertion 
and  confirmed  the  Prince  in  the  idea  he  had  before 
given  him  of  his  absurdity.  If  in  the  political  stile 
he  writes  such  lies  as  these  to  his  Court  what  must  it 
think  of  him  ? The  new  Minister  is  of  quite  different, 
stamp,  very  modest,  civil,  and,  I believe,  sensible,  by 
much  the  most  decent  Neapolitan  I have  seen,  and 
nothing  at  all  of  Corrello  in  him.  I dare  say  he  will 
please  in  England.  He  would  attend  on  his  sick 
companion  to-day,  a Cavaliere  di  Malta  who  goes 
with  him  into  England,  and  to  whom  I had  given 
an  Indigestion.  They  dine  however  again  here  to- 
morrow, and  I am  to  give  them  a Conversation  at 
night.  My  friend,  Madame  Antinori,  is  to  whisper 
to  thirty  Dame  to  come.  This  is  the  Method  of  in- 
viting a small  number  without  offending  others.  The 
Lorraine  Ladies  are  to  come  as  usual  without  the 
whisper,  but  they  are  so  horribly  ugly  that  I should 
have  been  quite  ashamed  of  shewing  them  alone.  I 
intend  to  put  them  into  the  dark  room  where  your 
old  Barni  laid. 

‘ ....  We  shall  have  the  Prince  of  Anspach 
here  soon,  to  whom  I must  pay  great  court.  Lord 
and  Lady  Rochford  are  coming  too,  who  will  expect 
as  much ; then  Sir  James  Gray  will  be  passing  to 
Naples,  and  I must  give  him  Mr.  Conways  appart- 
ment  ! ’ — (Gray  gave  trouble  and  was  a parvenu. 


346 


FRINGE  OF  AN  SPACE. 


1753. 


Walpole  says  that  his  father  was  first  a box-keeper, 
then  footman  to  James  the  Second,  'and  this  is  the 
man  exchanged  against  Prince  Severino  ! ’) 

The  Prince  of  Anspach  was  not  thought  much  of 
in  Florence.  ‘ I have  been  employed  ’ (May  4th)  ‘ in 
paying  my  court  to  the  Prince  of  Anspach,  nobody 
else  took  the  least  notice  of  him.  The  members  of 
the  Regency  have  been  so  absurd  as  to  say  they 
expected  the  first  visit,  which  the  Prince  I am  sure 
never  thought  of.  I waited  on  him  the  day  after 
his  arrival,  with  many  English.  He  received  us  en 
Prince,  debout,  but  vastly  civil.  I asked  his  Governor 
leave  to  propose  any  amusement  to  him  ; in  short,  I 
asked  him  to  dine  with  me  the  next  day,  and  in  the 
mean  time  attended  him  to  the  Gallery  Pitti,  Boboli, 
etc.  I received  him  at  his  coach,  with  many  English 
whom  I chose  to  distinguish  on  this  occasion,  Lord 
Tilney,  Gwin,  etc.  The  Prince  did  not  bring  his 
Pages,  nor  would  permit  my  shewing  him  any  dis- 
tinctions, not  so  much  as  a fauteuil,  that  was  placed 
at  the  head  of  the  table.  The  company  was  numerous, 
and  both  the  dinner  and  dessert  tollerably  well.  In 
the  afternoon  I took  him  in  my  coach,  and  made  the 
whole  tour  of  the  town  to  the  Porta  San  Gallo,  where 
there  were  vast  crowds  of  ladies  whom  I afterwards 
carried  him  to  visit  in  their  boxes  at  the  Theater,  and 
the  next  morning  he  set  out  for  Bologna,  seemingly 
vastly  satisfied  with  my  attentions  to  him.  He  is 
to  take  Anspach  in  his  way  to  Paris,  from  whence  he 
is  to  go  to  England  next  winter. 

‘ Adieu,  my  dear  Sir,  my  nerves  are  in  such  a 
twitter  that  I can  hardly  hold  my  pen.  I attribute 


1753. 


LORD  AND  LADY  ROGHFOBD. 


347 


it  to  my  having  left  off  snuff  for  three  days  past,  as 
I apprehended  that  the  quantity,  which  was  great, 
gave  me  head-ache.  I think  of  nothing  but  snuff, 
sleeping  and  waking.  If  I am  dry  or  hungry,  it  is 
only  for  snuff,  and  yet  I have  still  resolution  to  resist, 
on  hopes  that  this  titillation  of  my  nerves  will  go  off, 
otherwise  I must  return  to  snuff  again.  I’ll  bathe 
this  afternoon,  to  see  what  that  will  do.  Doctor 
Cocchi  bade  me  take  a little,  but  that’s  more  difficult 
than  not  to  take  any  at  all.’ 

On  June  8th,  Mann  was  still  in  grief  on  the 
same  subject,  but  Walpole  showed  him  no  sympathy. 
After  narrating  his  nervous  sufferings  when  he  gave 
up  the  luxury,  and  his  £ headaches  ’ when  he  yielded 
to  it,  he  passes  in  the  letter  of  the  above  date  to  the 
arrival  of  Lord  and  Lady  Rochford,  in  Florence.  ‘ I 
had  great  curiosity  to  know  them.  I studied  her  a 
good  deal  and  think  her  very  clever,  but  her  person  is 
so  much  altered  from  what  I may  suppose  it  was,  that 
I think  she  must  lay  aside  all  thoughts  of  making 
any  conquests.  She  is  beyond  measure  dejected  to 
find  that  she  even  can’t  confine  the  affections  of  her 
lord.  There  is  a certain  crisis  in  women’s  lives,  which 
she  has  arrived  at,  that  few  have  good  sense  enough 
to  support,  especially  such  as  have  lived  in  the  gay 
world  in  their  youths.  English  women  have  not  the 
resource  which  women  in  other  countries  find  in  that 
age,  in  devotion,  which  is  all  gaiety,  but  with  us 
so  solemn  that  it  heightens  melancholy  sometimes 
into  despair.  Mr.  Chute,  I remember,  told  me  of 
a woman  of  a certain  age,  whose  friend  upbraided 
her  for  turning  Roman  Catholick,  and,  asking  what 


348 


THEODORE,  KING  OF  CORSICA. 


1753. 


could  induce  her,  was  answered  : “Why  surely,  dear 
Madam,  you  must  allow  that  the  Roman  Catholick 
religion  is  much  more  entertaining.”  ’ 

At  this  time,  Theodore,  King  of  Corsica,  as  he 
called  himself,  but  really  Baron  Theodore  Stephen  de 
Neuboff,  a native  of  Lorraine,  son  of  a Wesphalian 
father,  was  in  a London  prison,  for  debt.  He  had 
been  in  various  continental  services,  and  had  taken 
advantage  of  troubled  times  to  land  in  Corsica,  where 
the  people,  to  escape  King  Log,  elected  him, — King 
Stork  (1739.)  After  reigning  and  rioting  eight 
months,  he  left  the  Island,  ostensibly  to  seek  aid 
against  his  enemies,  the  Genoese.  He  never  returned. 
Mann  has  already  written  of  him  as  he  appeared  in 
Florence.  The  Minister  now  adds  these  further 
details : — 

‘ Theodore  made  villainous  use  of  the  most  insig- 
nificant letters  he  drew  from  me,  when  he  sculked 
about  Tuscany,  under  pretence  of  having  the  English 
newspapers,  or  by  forwarding  letters  to  me  from  his 
friends  in  England.  He  used  to  shew  the  greatest 
impatience  to  rescue  the  packet  from  me,  then  retire 
with  great  mistery,  and  return  after  a certain  time  to 
the  people  about  him,  and  at  a distance  hold  my  letter 
in  his  hand  and  pretend  to  read  out  of  it  what  he 
chose  they  should  believe,—  sometimes  that  a fleet 
of  ships  was  coming  to  Leghorn  for  his  service  which, 
the  next  post,  had  been  retarded  by  contrary  winds. 
Thus  he  kept  his  hungry  courtiers  about  him,  and  got 
everything  they  could  pawn  to  feed  him,  by  making  my 
letter  say  that  he  was  to  have  great  sums  of  money 
for  him.  At  last,  the  sum  of  j pounds  was  actually 


1753. 


F BASTINGS. 


349 


in  my  hands,  but  that  I had  been  obliged  to  make  use 
of  it  myself,  to  get  my  plate,  jewels,  and  many 
valuable  things  out  of  pawn,  for  which  I asked  him 
ten  thousand  pardons,  and  which  he  was  forced  to 
grant,  not  to  disgust  me,  as  I was  the  channel  by 
which  he  was  to  receive  the  necessary  means  to  mount 
his  throne  ! All  this  his  own  secretary  believed  and 
very  mocently  told  me,  after  he  had  quitted  him  ; 
upon  which  I desisted  at  once  sending  him  any 
Gazettes  or  writing  at  all  to  him.’ 

On  this  8th  of  June,  Mann  notices  that  Mr.  West 
had  gone  to  Eeggio,  to  be  warm.  ‘ Indeed  he  has  been 
too  lavish  of  his  natural  heat,  which  will  require  a 
whole  Florentine  summer  to  restore.  We  have  also 
had  here  for  a little  time,  the  good  natured  fat  Mr. 
Parry  who  would  do  well  to  stay  through  that  season, 
to  melt  his  fat.  What  a terrible  misfortune  it  is  ! 
He  says  he  has  diminished  6 inches  since  he  left 
England.  . . . What  would  you  do  with  the  croud  of 
people  I have  to  dine  with  me  to-day,  no  less  than  16, 
upon  my  word.  I never  willingly  exceed  12,  but  the 
sudden  arrival  of  my  Lord  Bolinbroke  ’ (Frederick  St. 
John,  who  succeeded  his  uncle  the  celebrated  Viscount 
Bolingbroke  in  1751)  ‘with  three  others,  obliged  me  to 
add  them  to  day,  though  I don’t  think  I have  dishes 
and  plates  for  so  many,  but  I find  it  very  convenient 
of  late  to  adopt  a maxim  of  Prince  Oraon,  who  never 
had  enough  of  anything  for  his  dinners  and  Conversa- 
tions, and  always  asked  more  company  to  the  former 
than  his  table  would  hold.  He  used  to  say  to  his 
servants,  Ne  vous  embarrassez  pas;  tout  qa  s’ar- 
rangera  cle  soy  memo, — so  it  did  by  the  complaisance 


350 


WILTON  TEE  SCULPTOR. 


1753. 


of  his  guests,  who  were  forced  to  wait  for  drink  till  the 
Goblets  were  not  employed  by  others — riotous  English- 
men would  not  have  so  much  civility. 

‘ Here  are  the  French  lines  you  ask  for  : — 

“Deux  Henris  immoles  par  nos  braves  ayeux, 

L’un  a la  Liberte,  et  1’autre  a nos  Dieux, 

Nous  animent,  Louis,  aux  memes  entreprises. 

Ils  revivent  en  Toi,  ces  anciens  Tyrans. 

Crains  notre  Desespoir.  La  Noblesse  a des  Guises  ; 
Paris  des  Pavaillacs,  le  Clerge  des  Clements.” 

‘ Such  Ecclesiastic  fury  makes  one  shudder  every  time 
one  repeats  the  above  lines.’ 

At  this  period,  there  was  living  in  Mann’s  house, 
Wilton,  ‘ that  ingineous,  modest,  sculptor  who  so  well 
deserves  the  encomiums  which  were  given  him  in  The 
World  ’ (it  was  in  The  Inspector)  ‘unsought  most  cer- 
tainly, but  justly  his  due,’  so  writes  Mann,  adding  that, 
Wilton’s  father,  who  was  originally  a common  work- 
man, but  had  become  a most  successful  executant  of 
architectural  ornaments  in  plaster,  had  sent  to  his  son 
that  especial  number  of  The  World  (Inspector).  The 
son  had  become  celebrated  by  carrying  off  the  Jubilee 
Gold  Medal,  given  by  the  Pope  in  1750.  Till  1755, 
Wilton  was  busily  occupied  in  Florence,  as  a sculptor, 
on  copies  and  commissions.  In  that  year  he  returned 
to  London  (where  he  ended  his  eminently  successful 
career,  in  1803),  accompanied  by  Sir  William  Chambers, 
who  married  his  daughter,  and  Cipriani,  the  latter  a 
native  of  Florence,  with  both  of  whom  Mann  was  in- 
timate. It  is  a curious  trait  of  this  Florentine  artist’s 
life,  that  a painter  so  accomplished  as  Cipriani  was  the 


1753. 


ASTLEY  AND  WILTON. 


351 


pupil  of  such  an  undistinguished  limner  as  Hugford, 
an  Englishman  who  was  settled  in  the  Tuscan  capital. 
Besides  the  above,  there  was  John  Astley,  the  son  of  a 
Shropshire  village  apothecary,  of  whose  ability  as  a 
painter,  Mann  entertained  a most  favourable  opinion. 
Astley  lived  to  be  very  rich  and  very  foolish  ; but 
before  his  extravagances  in  London  obtained  for  him 
the  designation  he  was  proud  of,  namely,  ‘ Beau 
Astley,’  he  lived  in  poor  condition  in  Florence.  He  was 
the  English  painter  there  who,  being  one  of  a party  of 
artists,  spending  in  the  neighbourhood  a festive  but 
sultry  evening,  followed  the  example  of  his  heated 
fellows,  by  taking  off  his  coat ; whereby  it  was  seen 
that  the  back  of  his  waistcoat  was  made  out  of  one  of 
his  canvas  studies,  representing  a landscape  with  a 
waterfall ! Of  Wilton,  Mann  writes,  November  9th, 
1750  : — 

‘ A Statue  he  did  at  Home,  and  a copy  of  the 
Venus  which  he  made  here  for  Lord  Rockingham, 
gained  him  great  applause.  Swift’s  Bust  (an  original) 
and  a most  glorious  one  of  Homer,  with  some  others 
already  in  England,  are  proofs  of  his  abilities.  He 
has  finished  another  Venus,  which  is  admired,  by  all 
the  Professors  (as  well  as  Connoisseurs)  here ; a 
Bacchus  for  Lord  Tilney,  of  his  own  invention,  far 
advanced ; with  many  other  works  which  will  be  seen 
in  England ; — but  is  there  really  any  taste  for  sculpture 
there,  beyond  a looking-glass-polished-chimney -piece? 
which  taste,  with  regard  to  Sculpture,  stands  in 
the  same  proportion  as  a most  laboriously  finished 
Flemish  picture  does  to  a Raphael,  or  any  great  Italian 
hand.  . . . Louis  1 4th j who  really  had  as  little  know- 


352 


BIANCA  CAPELLO. 


1753. 


ledge  of  tlie  Fine  Arts  as  anybody,  sacrificed  vast  sums, 
and  made  the  finest  Institutions,  merely  to  gain  the 
reputation  of  a Connoisseur ; and  yet  they  say  that, 
in  private,  he  made  a joke  of  his  own  ignorance  ! . . . 

‘ I send  you  the  portrait  you  so  often  went  to  see 
at  Casa  Vitelli,  of  the  Bianca  Capello,  by  Vasari ; — 
which,  as  your  Proxy,  I have  made  love  to,  a long- 
while.  I will  now  own  to  you  that  I have  been  in 
possession  of  it  some  little  time  ; it  has  hung  in  my 
bed-chamber,  and  reproached  me  indeed  of  infidelity 
in  depriving  you  of  what  I originally  designed  for 
you  ; but  as  I had  determined  to  be  honest  at  last, 
I could  not  part  with  it  so  hastily.  I would  willingly 
have  sent  it  with  its  venerable  rich  frame  of  a foot 
broad,  but  it  would  have  added  to  the  weight  and 

size  of  the  case You  will  observe  one  odd 

circumstance,  which  is  that  the  heads  seem  (sic)  not 
to  have  been  finished.  The  portrait  was  certainly  the 
last  that  was  made  of  her,  a very  little  time  before 
she  dyed,  as  appears  by  the  age.’  (Bianca  Capello, 
noble  and  poor,  eloped  with  Cavaliere  Buonaventura, 
who  was  also  so  poor,  that  he  was  glad  to  be  a 

Giovane  di  Banco,  at  Venice.  A banker’s  clerk,  in 
fact.  Her  family  pursued  her,  and  her  husband 

carried  her  off  to  Florence),  ‘ where,’  says  Mann, 
‘ they  lived  for  many  years  in  the  most  private 

manner,  till  the  Great  Duke  Francesco  fell  in  love 
with  her  and  at  last  consented  that  her  husband 

should  be  murdered  by  the  family  of  Bicci,  that  he 
might  marry  her.’  (She  had  then  a daughter  living, 
by  the  first  marriage,  and  she  had  not  only  been 
the  Great  Duke’s  mistress,  but  presented  to  him  as  his 


1753. 


HISTORY  OF  A PICTURE. 


353 


son,  a child,  afterwards  known  as  Antonio  de’  Medici, 
which  child  she  bought,  and  then  murdered  those  who 
were  in  the  secret.  On  the  day  she  was  proclaimed 
Grand  Duchess,  her  daughter  was  married  to  a 
Bentivoglio,  of  Bologna  (1579.)  As  Grand  Duchess 
she  became  execrable  for  her  cruel  and  capricious 
tyranny.)  ‘Part  of  her  story/  says  Mann,  ‘is  reckoned 
fabulous.  The  truth  I believe  is  that  both  she  and 
her  husband  were  poisoned  by  his  brother  (Cardinal 
Ferdinand  de’  Medici),  who  succeeded  him.  The  late 
Great  Duchess  would  never  acknowledge  her  or 
permit  her  ritratto  to  be  engraved  with  those  of  her 
ancestors,  and  would  have  cut  her  out  of  the  hang- 
ings of  Poggio  Imperiale,  had  she  ever  been  permitted, 
as  she  wished,  to  live  there’ — (The  Grand  Electress 
denied  Bianca’s  title  to  the  rank  of  Grand  Duchess) — 

‘ though  either  before,  or  immediately  after  Francesco 
had  married  her,  the  Republick  of  Venice  sent  a 
Diploma  declaring  her  to  be  a daughter  of  the 
Bepublick.  I must  still  add,  by  way  of  history,  that 
upon  the  death  of  Marquis  Vitelli,  his  wife  who, 
you  know,  followed  old  General  Braitwitz  to  Naples, 
from  whence,  by  way  of  parenthesis,  Marquis  Fres- 
cobaldi,  her  brother,  had  interest  enough  to  cause  her 
to  be  sent  away  by  that  Court,  for  the  decorum  of  her 
family,  she,  as  is  the  custom  of  the  country,  insisted 
upon  the  restitution  of  her  Dote,  which  was  ^ crowns, 
to  make  up  which  sum,  her  son,  the  young  Marquis 
Vitelli,  was  forced  to  sell  a fine  villa  and  all  the 
furniture  of  a house  in  town,  by  which  means  this 
portrait  fell  into  my  hands.  You  will  excuse  this 
detail,  when  you  reflect  that  the  history  of  a picture 
VOL.  i.  2 a 


354 


ENGLISH  AND  FLORENTINES. 


1753. 


is  the  only  sure  proof  of  its  originality.  . . . Whilst 
the  picture  still  hung  in  the  dark  at  Casa  Vitelli,  it 
was  always  called  a Bronzini  ’ — (Agnolo  Bronzini  was 
a Florentine  of  great  repute  in  the  16th  century.  He 
completed  the  Chapel  of  St.  Lorenzo,  which  was  left 
unfinished  by  his  master,  Panormo,  and  he  painted 
the  portraits  of  the  most  illustrious  persons  of  the 
House  of  Medici) — ‘but  all  the  Connoisseurs  now  have 
declared  it  to  be  of  Vasari,— a master  much  less  stiff 
and  dry  than  the  former.’  (Vasari,  contemporary  with 
Bronzini,  was  introduced  to  the  Medici  family  by 
Cardinal  da  Cortona.  He  found  liberal  patrons  in 
the  Dukes  of  Tuscany,  but  his  celebrity  chiefly  rests 
on  his  well-known  biographical  and  critical  work,  in 
which  he  gives  the  lives  of  Italian  painters,  down  to 
and  including  those  of  his  own  time.  Walpole,  in 
a letter,  dated  December  6th,  is  warm  in  the  expres- 
sion of  his  thanks  to  Mann,  ‘who  has  so  much  obliging- 
ness and  attention  in  his  friendships  that  in  the 
middle  of  public  business,  and  teazed  to  death  with 
all  kinds  of  commissions,  and  overrun  with  cubs  and 
cubaccionis  of  every  kind,  can,  for  twelve  years 
together,  remember  any  single  picture,  or  bust,  or 
morsel  of  virtu  that  a friend  of  his  ever  liked  . . . 
and  sends  it  to  his  friend  in  the  manner  in  the  world 
to  make  it  the  most  agreeable.’  Troubled  as  Mann 
was  with  English  cubs  and  cubaccionis,  he  had  con- 
tempt ever  outspoken  for  the  leading  Florentines 
themselves.)  ‘All  here  is  so  servilely  dull  that  Riche- 
court  himself  can  I believe  hardly  have  any  pleasure 
in  commanding  them.  Dante  calls  them  “Gente  avara, 
insidiosa,  e falsa,”  since  which  time  they  have  ac- 


1754. 


STATE  PLEASURES. 


355 


quired  a just  title  to  the  additional  epithet,  vile,  which 
makes  a principal  ingredient  in  their  character.’ 

In  this  general  estimate  of  the  Florentines  of  the 
last  century,  Walpole  agreed  with  almost  ungenerous 
alacrity.  In  reference  to  the  duel  between  Captain 
Lee  and  a Lorraine  officer,  previously  mentioned,  Wal- 
pole writes  : ‘ I am  glad  you  have  got  rid  of  your  duel 
blood-guiltless.  Captain  Lee  had  ill  luck  in  fighting 
with  a Lorraine  officer  ; he  might  have  boxed  the  ears 
of  the  whole  Florentine  nobility  [con  rispetto  si  dice), 
and  not  have  occasioned  you  half  the  trouble  you 
have  had  in  accommodating  this  quarrel.’ 

1754. 

The  new  year  found  Mann  depressed.  The  Min- 
ister, as  Pope  says,  ‘grew  sick  and  damned  the  climate 
like  a lord,’  but  Pope  referred  to  the  London  atmo- 
sphere. It  was  not  worse  than  that  of  Florence. 

January  18 th,  1754. — ‘ I am  sorry  to  perceive 
that  I grow  extremely  iudolent ; I am  afraid  it  is  the 
English  spleen  that  I have  got,  which  however  I am 
resolved  to  shake  off  as  soon  as  the  foggy,  horrid, 
English  weather  will  permit  me  to  use  any  exercise.’ 
(He  had  lost  taste  for  the  Carnival  and  its  once  dear 
delights).  ‘ I have  not  been  to  the  theater  this  week, 
and  v/hen  I do  go  I am  impatient  till  the  second 
Act  and  Dance  is  over,  that  I may  return  home.  I 
sometimes  endeavour  to  persuade  myself  that  the 
amusements  are  not  what  they  used  to  be  ; but,  when 
I see  that  all  the  young  folks  are  as  well  pleased 
with  them  as  I used  to  be,  I am  forced  to  confess 


356 


NAPLES  AND  MALTA. 


1754. 


that  my  degout  is  the  effect  of  my  being  grown  old, 
for  which  stage  of  life  this  is  the  very  worst  country 
in  the  world,  as  there  is  not  the  least  society.  . . . 
Everything  here  is  in  a state  of  languor  not  to  be 
described,  though  indeed  it  agrees  pretty  much  in 
that  respect  with  other  countrys,  except  France, 
where  their  disputes  ’ (between  the  King  and  the 
Parliament)  ‘might  come  to  something  if  there  was 
anybody  to  lead  them.’  (There  was,  however,  some- 
thing stirring  elsewhere.)  ‘ Have  you  heard  of  the 
King  of  Naples’  almost  declaration  of  war  with  the 
Island  of  Malta  against  the  Grand  Master’s  refusal 
to  admit  of  a Royal  Visitation  of  the  Bishoprick  of 
Malta  and  its  Cathedral,  by  the  Bishop  of  Susiana  (?) 
on  the  part  of  the  King  of  Naples,  who  stiles  himself 
on  this  occasion,  Patrone  Sovrano  e Legato  Reale ; 
and  for  disobedience  to  him  as  such,  he  has  prohibited 
all  commerce  with  that  Island,  consequently  intends 
to  starve  it,  for  it  produces  nothing ; the  most 
common  necessaries  are  imported  from  Sicily  ; besides 
which  he  has  sequestered  everything  that  belongs  to 
the  Order  of  Malta  within  his  Dominions,  or  to  any 
Chevalier  that  does  not  reside  in  them.  As  to  the 
main  point  about  the  right  of  Visitation  or  not, 
people  differ.  Most  agree  that  it  has  been  done 
perhaps  150  years  ago  ; but  they  don’t  seem  to  allow 
that  Charles  the  Fifth  gave  them  (the  Knights)  the 
Island  of  Malta  with  that  condition,  or  assumed  to 
himself  and  his  heirs,  the  titles  which  the  King  of 
Naples  takes  on  this  occasion ; the  last  of  which, 
Legato  Reale,  must  mean  from  the  Pope,  who  does 
not  care  to  enter  into  the  dispute.  ...  It  is  probable 


1754. 


THE  INQUISITION. 


357 


that  many  or  most  of  the  Courts  will  interfere  in 
behalf  of  Malta,  though  France,  the  most  interested 
of  any,  seems  the  most  indifferent.  That  Court, 
not  long  ago,  offered  to  the  Order,  Les  Isles  St. 
Marguerite,  and  perhaps  would  not  be  sorry  to  see 
the  Knights  obliged  to  accept  of  them,  on  its  own 
conditions.  The  very  situation  would  make  the 
whole  Order  and  its  force  subservient  to  France.’ 

The  Pope  had  a more  important  subject  in  hand 
than  the  freedom  of  Malta  from  episcopal  visitation. 

March  29th. — The  news  we  have  here  consists  in 
a whisper  that  the  disagreements  between  Rome  and 
this  place  are  adjusted ; the  principal  condition  of 
which  is,  the  Admission,  or  to  speak  more  properly, 
the  Re-Establishment  of  the  Inquisition,  which  has 
been  inactive  for  some  years.  It  is  now  to  be  on  the 
foot  as  it  is  at  Venice,  which,  since  it  could  not  be 
totally  demolished,  is  the  least  dangerous.  That  was 
not  to  be  in  the  least  hoped  for  in  these  days  of 
Devotion,  which  is  an  absolute  necessary  qualification 
for  advancement,  or  to  maintain  any  degree  of  favour. 
This  was  flatly  said  to  Richecourt  (whose  powers  as 
Regent  for  the  Emperor,  in  his  dukedom  of  Tuscany, 
are  now  increased  to  the  utmost)  by  his  Mistress 
(Maria  Theresa)  when  he  was  last  at  Vienna.  You 
know  she  is  all  devotion,  and  he  is  ever  since  become 
a most  obsequious  courtier.’ 

While  the  Pope  was  thus  re-establishing  that  bad 
old  state  of  things  which  illustrates  the  Papal  idea  of 
supervision  of  faith  and  morals,  a drama  was  being 
enacted  in  another  part  of  Italy,  which  takes  us  back 
to  the  very  liveliest  of  feudal  times. 


358 


A LITTLE  WAR. 


1754. 


April  19 tli. — ‘ You  will  hardly  believe  me  when  I 
tell  you  we  are  here  in  a state  of  war  with,  a neigh- 
bouring,— not  Prince  or  State ; and  that  after  the  first 
hostilities,  our  first  Column  of  troops  is  marched  ; that 
another  of  equal  strength  is  to  follow  in  a day  or 
two,  not  to  the  enemy’s  country,  but  to  the  frontier 
of  our  own,  to  prevent  him  committing  any  Insults. 
You  will  never  be  able  to  guess.  . . . His  name  is 
Marchese  Del  Monte,  whose  family  is  very  numerous, 
and  which  in  many  branches  possesses  an  Imperial 
Fief,  called  Monte  di  Santa  Maria,  near  Cortona,  and 
between  this  and  the  Pope’s  State.  The  cause  of  the 
rupture  is  this.  A younger  brother  of  that  family, 
having  committed  many  excesses,  had  received  orders 
from  our  Regency  not  to  come  into  this  state.  In 
contempt  of  this  prohibition  he  even  affected  to  come 
down  from  the  fief  into  Cortona  with  his  attendants 
armed ; so  that  it  was  necessary  to  make  use  of  some 
stratagem  to  lay  hold  of  him.  This  was  effected  by 
some  Sbirri  going  into  the  house  where  he  was, 
under  pretence  of  searching  for  contraband  goods.  . . . 
They  seized  him  and  carried  him  to  the  common 
prison.  Some  of  his  attendants  who  escaped  fled 
with  this  notice  to  the  Feudo,  from  whence  two  of  his 
brothers  marched  that  night  with  about  a hundred  of 
their  subjects  well  armed.  They  arrived  at  Cortona 
before  the  opening  of  the  gates,  which  they  did  not 
beat  down,  for  want  of  cannon.  They  peaceably 
waited  till  the  gates  were  opened,  to  take  possession 
of  them.  . . . They  then  marched  to  the  Bagello’s 
(Sheriff’s)  house,  round  which  they  began  to  place 
fascines  in  order  to  set  fire  to  it,  on  a supposition  that 


1754 


A LITTLE  WAB. 


359 


the  prison  was  annexed  to  it ; but  on  being  better 
informed  that  the  prison  was  at  the  Pretorian  Palace, 
where  the  Commissary  resides,  they  marched  hither, 
forced  open  his  Appartments  and  afterwards  the 
pnblick  prisons,  from  whence  they  set  all  the  prisoners 
at  Liberty,  and  carried  off  their  Brother  in  triumph. 

‘ One  of  the  brothers  is  a Dominican  Friar.  He 
was  particularly  desirous  that  the  Commissary  should 
be  thrown  out  of  the  window,  but  the  others  inter- 
fered. The  Regency  waited  some  days,  to  receive 
the  most  exact  particulars  of  this  hostility ; and  on 
Saturday  despatched  them  by  a Courier  to  Vienna, 
intending  to  wait  the  Emperor’s  orders ; but  fresh 
advice  being  received  from  the  Mountain  that  the 
Marchesi  were  putting  themselves  into  a posture  of 
defence,  and  were  making  dispositions  that  denoted 
their  design  of  making  a second  incursion  into  the 
State,  as  they  had  done  into  the  Pope’s,  from  whence 
they  had  carried  off  much  provision  of  all  the  sorts 
they  could  find, — that  these  Brothers,  who  were  Cadets 
of  the  family,  had  made  themselves  masters  of  the 
whole  fief; — had  plundered  the  houses  and  lands  of 
their  relations,  and  particularly  of  that  branch  which 
is  settled  at  Florence ; — and  had  carried  all  these 
provisions  into  their  Castle,  which  is  at  the  top  of  the 
Mountain, — and  had  published  an  order  that,  on  pain 
of  death,  all  the  inhabitants  capable  of  bearing  arms, 
should,  on  the  sound  of  the  Tocsin,  immediately  repair 
thither — the  Regency,  I say,  hearing  of  their  warlike 
dispositions,  ordered  a Captain  with  130  men  to  march 
towards  Cortona,  to  a place  called  Castiglione,  where, 
it  is  supposed,  unless  they  all  deserted,  that  some  of 


360 


DESERTERS. 


1754. 


them  arrived  yesterday.  The  like  number  is  ordered 
from  the  Garrison  at  Leghorn,  who  are  to  go  to 
Borgo  San  Sepolcro,  in  hopes  that  their  dispositions 
may  keep  the  Delmontians  in  awe  till  the  return  of 
the  Courier  from  Vienna  with  orders  to  march  with  a 
sufficient  force  to  demolish  the  whole  race  of  them, — - 
which  will  be  no  easy  matter.  The  whole  Feudo 
consists  of  a large  Mountain,  the  inhabitants  of  which 
are  chiefly  Banditti,  Contrabandieri,  and  Zingani,  the 
last  (Gipsies)  literally  look  upon  themselves  as  at 
home  there ; and  all  are  so  devoted  to  the  name  of 
Del  Monte  that  they  will  expose  themselves  to  any 
danger  on  this  account.  One  of  the  family  is  always 
Regent  of  the  whole  ; but  on  this  occasion,  the  turbu- 
lent cadets  have  turned  him  out ; and  it  is  said  that 
they  can  get  together  800  of  those  resolute,  desperate 
people,  against  whom  regular  troops  don’t  care  to 
fight.  This  is  our  present  situation,  and  what  makes 
it  more  disagreeable  is,  that  at  the  eve  of  a war,  our 
troops  desert  so  fast  that  we  shall  have  none  left  soon. 
A few  days  ago,  36,  in  a body,  sabre  d la  main, 
attempted  to  force  the  Porta  San  Gallo,  but  the  Guard 
had  just  time  to  let  down  the  Barrier — not  being 
able  to  escape,  they  took  refuge  in  the  Churches  near, 
but  the  next  day  they  surrendered  by  capitulation.’ 
May  3rd. — ‘ The  Dominican  Friar  of  the  Del 
Monte  family,  who  has  left  off  his  frock  for  a cuirass, 
and  who,  in  the  Patent  by  which  he  commands  his 
subjects  to  steal  as  much  corn,  oyl,  or  what  can 
furnish  his  castle  against  a siege,  styles  himself  Per  la 
Grazia  di  Dio,  Marchese  Del  Monte,  Reggente  del 
Feudo  di  Santa  Maria,  etc.,  and  has  fixed  a price  on 


1754 


POPE  AND  EMPEROR. 


361 


the  head  of  Marquis  Del  Monte,  our  quiet  Florentine 
(nephew  of  Niccolini),  whose  part  of  the  Fief  he  has 
plundered  because  he  refused  to  joyn  with  him,  and 
has  dispersed  the  Bones  of  their  ancestors,  in  order  to 
convert  their  leaden  coffins  into  musket  balls,  in  short 
this  mad  Friar  seems  to  think  he  shall  be  able  to 
defend  himself  with  the  assistance  of  his  Banditti, 
Contrabandieri,  and  Zingani,  against  the  troops  which 
he  foresees  the  Emperor  will  send  against  him. 

‘ But  the  last  letters  from  Rome  inform  us  that  the 
Emperor,  either  as  such  or  as  Great  Duke,  will  highly 
incur  the  Papal  displeasure  if  he  sends  his  troops  to 
chastize  the  Friar,  as  the  Court  of  Rome  not  only 
disputes  the  Imperiality  of  that  Fief,  but  declares  that 
it  makes  part  of  the  Ecclesiastical  State,  consequently 
that  the  Pope  must  take  the  quarrel  upon  himself,  if 
any  troops  set  their  feet  on  that  ground.  Baron  St. 
Odil  could  get  no  other  answer  from  Cardinal  Valenti, 
on  this  subject,  but  that  the  Pope  had  despatched  his 
orders  to  M.  de  Richelieu  to  treat  directly  with  the 
Emperor  before  he  leaves  that  country,  and  they  say 
that  he  has  orders  to  propose,  as  a means  to  end  any 
dispute  on  that  occasion,  that  the  Emperor  and  Pope 
should  joyn  their  troops  to  chastize  those  Del  Monte 
who  have  offended,  the  first  at  Cortona,  the  second  at 
Citta  di  Castello,  and  not  to  make  any  mention  of  the 
supreme  jurisdiction  over  that  Fief ; which  expedient, 
in  my  humble  opinion,  would  confirm  the  Pope’s  pre- 
tensions too  much.  I should  not  be  sorry  to  see  a 
quarrel  between  the  Pope  and  Great  Duke,  provided  it 
was  to  spread  no  farther.’ 

May  1 7th. — 'Major  Breton,  at  the  head  of  half  his 


362 


DOME  AND  TUSCANY. 


1754. 


troops,  ‘marched  in  the  evening’  (of  May  3rd)  ‘with  a 
design  to  reach  the  rebellious  Fief  of  Santa  Maria,  by 
break  of  day  ; at  which  time  precisely  he  had  given 
orders  to  the  leaders  of  the  other  half  of  his  troops  to 
meet  him  in  order  to  make  the  Blockade  complete ; 
but,  unluckily,  a shower  of  rain  retarded  his  march  for 
many  hours,  and  prevented  the  other  instalment,  which 
took  a different  route,  from  joining  him  till  the  after- 
noon, for  whose  arrival,  Messieurs  Del  Monte  and  their 
followers,  not  thinking  it  prudent  to  wait,  sallied  out 
of  the  back  door,  whilst  the  Major  re-guarded  the 
front ; — at  which  they  afterwards  entered  ; so  that 
though  the  Rebels  escaped,  they  have  taken  their 
castle  ; consequently,  by  being  Masters  of  the  Field  of 
Battle,  they  have  gained  a compleat  victory  ; and  had 
those  Rebels  had  any  ground  of  their  own,  the  troops 
would  have  lived  at  discretion  upon  it.  They  are  all 
dispersed  in  the  Pope’s  State  to  the  great  terror  of  its 
Inhabitants,  though  he  threatened  to  take  the  quarrel 
upon  himself,  if  the  Emperor  should  do  what  he 
exactly  has  done  ; so  that  it  now  only  remains  to  see 
what  will  be  the  effect  of  these  menaces. 

‘ At  least,  there  will  be  a delay  of  the  accommoda- 
tion between  Tuscany  and  Rome,  to  chastize  by  that 
means  the  Great  Duke,  for  the  faults  of  the  Emperor 
who,  if  he  was  wise,  would  save  himself  from  the 
Inconveniences  which  must  always  ensue  from  his 
friendship  as  Great  Duke  with  the  Court  of  Rome,  by 
constantly  keeping  up  a certain  degree  of  quarrel  with 
it,  during  which,  no  usurpation  can  be  made  on  his 
authority,  or  on  the  liberty  of  his  subjects,  by  the 
Inquisition.’ 


1754 


A FIGHTING  FRIAR. 


363 


June  14 th. — ‘ The  Del  Monte  have  not  acted  up  to 
the  first  step  of  rescuing  their  brother  from  the  com- 
mon prisons  at  Cortona,  and  being  masters  of  that 
town  for  some  hours,  which  may  be  justified  by  the 
irregularity  of  treating  a man  of  rank,  independent 
of  Tuscany,  with  such  contempt.  It  is  said  that  the 
Emperor  hasmuch  disapproved  of  the  manner  in  which 
the  Great  Duke’s  people  acted  on  that  occasion,  and 
though  he  has  endeavoured  to  chastize  them,  yet  it  has 
been  in  quality  of  Emperor  taking  the  part  of  Tuscany, 
a great  Imperial  Fief,  against  the  mountain  of  Santa 
Maria,  a smaller  Fief  of  the  same  nature. 

‘ I told  you  that  the  Hero  of  this  petite  piece 
escaped,  and  that  his  people  were  dispersed.  He  is 
supposed  to  be  in  the  Kingdom  of  Naples,  and  the 
Regency,  by  order  of  the  Emperor,  has  made  instances 
to  its  Ministers  here  that  the  Dominican  Friar  may  be 
seized.  Most  of  the  troops  are  returned  from  thence  ; 
there  is  only  a small  detachment  to  prevent  the  Friar’s 
return,  and  re-assembling  his  people  to  take  Cortona 
again  for  good.’ 

July  5th. — ‘ The  mad  Friar,  when  least  expected, 
returned  to  the  neighbourhood  of  his  Fief,  and  com- 
mitted such  disorders  with  eight  of  his  followers,  in 
the  Pope’s  State,  that  the  Commissary  of  Citta  del 
Castello  sent  a body  of  80  soldiers  and  sbirri  to  block 
them  up  in  the  Palazzo  to  which  they  had  retired. 
From  the  windows  they  killed  two  or  three  of  the 
besiegers,  wounded  others,  and  in  the  night  found 
means  to  escape  by  a passage  underground.  This,  they 
say,  has  greatly  irritated  the  Pope  who,  it  is  supposed, 
will  fix  a price  upon  his  head.  A detachment  of  120 


364 


A BANDIT  DOMINICAN. 


1754. 


of  his  troops  still  remains  there.  The  Pope  is  returned 
from  Castel  Gandolfo,  not  well.’ 

August  9th. — ‘ We'  have  been  alarmed  by  a third 
apparition  of  the  Del  Monte  Friar,  in  the  shape  of  a 
common  robber  on  the  highway.  We  thought  he  had 
turned  Mahometan  at  Constantinople,  for  which  place 
it  was  said  he  had  embarked  in  the  Adriatick,  but  he 
lately  returned  in  company  of  six  Bandits  and  robbed 
two  factors  (one,  of  another  Marquis,  Del  Monte,  his 
cousin)  as  they  returned  from  market,  stript  them 
naked,  tied  them  to  trees,  and  would  have  killed  them, 
had  not  the  Bandits  been  more  merciful  than  he  was. 
The  Tuscan  troops  who  still  live  on  the  Fief  could  not 
take  him,  as  he  took  refuge  in  the  Pope’s  State.’ 

September  13 th. — ‘The  Hero  of  the  Del  Monte 
affair  might  have  deserved  your  compassion,  had  he 
limited  his  bravery  to  the  recovering  his  brother  from 
an  infamous  prison,  and  defending  himself,  ever  after, 
against  those  who  would  chastize  him  for  it  ; but  the 
Dominican  Friar  is  turned  a Robber  and  Assassin  on 
the  highway,  attended  by  about  twenty  resolute  Ban- 
ditti, who  strike  terror  into  the  whole  Tuscan  as  well 
as  Ecclesiastical  State.  Therefore,  to  frighten  them 
in  their  turn,  an  Edict  has  been  published  here, 
promising  a reward  of  2000  crowns  to  any  one  who 
shall  seize  any  of  the  three  brothers  alive,  and  1000 
for  killing  them;  300,  for  each  of  their  followers  alive; 
and  100,  dead  ; besides  a pardon  for  whatever  crimes 
the  Seizers  or  Killers  may  stand  accused  of;  or  a 
liberty  to  name  a friend  (who  might  be  a criminal) 
in  case  they  do  not  stand  in  need  of  such  a favour 
themselves.  ’ 


1754. 


TEE  QUEEN  OF  NAPLES. 


3G5 


‘ The  Court  of  Rome,  they  say,  will  follow  the 
example  of  Tuscany,  and  publish  an  Edict  of  the  same 
tenour,  with  this  alteration  probably,  that  the  number 
of  crowns  will  be  changed  for  the  same  number  of 
Indulgences  for  their  Souls.  This  is  the  least  the 
Pope  can  do  for  his  new  Tuscan  friends  who  have 
received  his  Nuncio  with  open  arms,  who  is  to  open 
the  Inquisition,  and  consequently  a gate  to  all  sorts 
of  priestly  tyranny  and  iniquity.  The  wisest  here 
tremble  for  the  effects  of  this  reconciliation,  being  very 
sure  that  it  must  tend  to  the  aggrandizing  a power, 
from  which  no  earthly  good,  at  least,  can  be  expected.’ 
While  the  Del  Monte  romance  was  progressing 
towards  the  inevitable  catastrophe,  incidents  of  a more 
trifling,  but  not  less  interesting  nature  to  the  Italians, 
had  to  be  noted.  ‘ I must  tell  you,’  Mann  writes, 
May  3rd,  ‘ that  the  Pope,  lamenting  lately  to  the 
new  Cardinal  Sarsali  (?)  the  death  of  Cardinal  Liviz- 
zani  and  many  of  his  intimate  friends,  the  other 
(Cardinal  S.)  attributed  it  to  the  antiquity  of  the 
Moon  of  March,  die  avevet  persino  ammazzato  Gesu 
Cristo,  at  which  the  Pope  smiled.  That  pious 
Imbecile  is  going  to  his  Archbishoprick  of  Naples, 
where  no  doubt  such  sentiments  will  recommend  him 
to  the  Queen,  whose  piety  distinguishes  itself  by  the 
veneration  she  has  for  the  Abbess  of  a Convent  at 
Capua,  with  whom,  whilst  the  Court  is  at  Cascrta,  she 
goes  to  dine  every  Saturday.  The  follies  recounted 
of  these  visits  are  both  numerous  and  credible,  con- 
sidering the  place  and  pitch  of  their  understandings  ; 
among  which,  one  is  worthy  to  be  mentioned,  and  is 
that  the  Madrc  Badessa  assured  the  Queen  that  she 


366 


MIRACLES. 


1754. 


had  been  playing  the  whole  night  with  Gesu  Cristo, 
at  Bambina  (a  Game  at  Cards),  which  I dare  say  her 
Majesty  believed  as  much  as  the  Nun  had  dreamt  it, 
and  that  they  were  both  persuaded  of  it. 

‘Adieu  ! I can  send  you  nothing  but  such  follies  as 
these  from  such  a country,  where  the  most  unpreju- 
diced are  afraid  to  own  that  they  do  not  believe  that 
the  straw-hat  of  St.  Catherine,  or  the  measure  of  her 
waist  in  a ribbon,  or  the  eating,  either  dry  or  in  sops, 
little  scraps  of  paper  with  the  word  Gesu,  Maria,  or 
any  Saint,  upon  it,  will  not  cure  a fever,  or  procure 
Salvation/ 

Pursuing  the  subject  of  the  influence  of  the 
Saints,  Mann  writes,  June  14th  : ‘I  have  been  obliged 
to  step  out  to  make  a visit  of  congratulation  to  Count 
Lorenzi,  upon  the  birth  of  a son  and  heir  ; a favour 
which  his  Countess  received  from  the  Madonna  di 
Loretto  ; and  indeed  the  whole  town  considered  it  as 
a miracle  ; and  what  is  a further  proof  of  it  is,  that  all 
the  females  that  accompanied  her  on  that  journey, 
obtained  the  same  favour,  her  Chamber-maid,  and 
even  the  Mare  that  drew  the  chaise/ 

There  was  one  person  at  Rome,  for  whom  the 
Saints  would  do  nothing.  ‘ The  Pretender,’  Mann 
writes,  July  5th,  ‘ has  not  been  at  Albano  this  season, 
on  account  of  his  health,  which  seems  to  decay  very 
fast.  His  own  apprehensions,  which  are  sometimes 
carried  even  to  a folly,  make  people  think  him  in 
more  danger  than  I believe  he  is,  as  yet.’ 

Another  great  personage  ‘going  to  decay,’  was 
Richecourt,  the  Emperor’s  Regent  in  Tuscany,  Lady 
Walpole’s  (Orford’s)  old  lover.  August  9th. — ‘ He 


1754. 


THE  PAPAL  NUNCIO. 


367 


was  seized  with  a disorder  in  the  head  that  produced 
an  effect  not  quite  unlike  madness  . . . some  call  it  a 
slight  touch  of  an  apoplexy.  . . . He  was  vastly  fright- 
ened, and  is  firmly  persuaded  of  the  truth  of  what  his 
friends  told  him,  that  a dissipation  of  spirits,  either 
by  over  fatigue  of  body  or  mind  must  be  fatal  to  him, 
and  that  this  was  a lesson  he  ouQ-ht  not  to  neglect.  . . . 
Don't  mention  this  hero’s  decay,  as  nothing  can  be  so 
injurious  to  a Minister,  as  to  say  his  head  is  turned  ! 
Mureilles  still  teaches  to  dance,  though  he  has  lost 
all  use  of  his  legs  ; but  some  little  share  of  brains  is 
necessary  for  the  Government  even  of  Tuscany.  . . . ’ 
(Sep.  13th.)  ‘At  Leghorn,  they  wait  for  our  letters 
with  impatience,  to  know  whether  Richecourt  is  merry 
or  sad,  in  order  to  judge  of  the  probability  of  a return 
of  his  late  disorder,  and  meet  to  compare  notes.’ 

Florence  soon  had  another  object  to  attract  the 
inhabitants.  Richecourt  s health  was  forgotten  in  the 
arrival  of  the  Papal  Nuncio,  with  power  to  establish 
the  Inquisition.  ‘ I have  not  made  acquaintance  with 
this  new  Minister  yet.  You  know  that  as  such  we 
are  not  to  know  each  other,  but,  as  Signor  Biglia  and 
Mr.  Mann,  we  may  converse.  He  seemed  to  want  to 
begin  last  night  at  Count  Richecourt’s  Assembly,  but 
as  we  are  to  negociate  a visit,  I would  not  disappoint 
my  plenipotentiaries.  He  lives  for  the  present  in  the 
Convent  of  Santo  Spirito,  and  was  conducted  last 
Saturday  night  to  the  Lodge  that  looks  upon  my 
Garden,  to  see  the  company  and  lights  at  a distance, 
though,  as  the  evening  was  cool,  the  Dames  retired  to 
finish  their  Parties  in  the  rooms.’ 

‘ Signora  Boccaneri,  whom  you  saw,  when  she  was 


368 


DUKE  OF  BRIDGEWATER. 


1754. 


a fanciulla  at  the  Princess’s,  famous  for  both  singing 
and  dancing,  has  furnished  the  town  with  a new 
scene.  . . . Nobody  can  give  any  account  why  her 
husband,  after  having  admitted  lovers  of  all  conditions 
. . . should  have  been  offended  with  a young  Pro- 
caccia,  a decent,  smart,  young  man,  who  was  contended 
for  by  many  of  the  first  Dames  ....  Jealousy  led 
him  to  discover  and  get  into  his  possession,  from  the 
hands  of  each  of  the  lovers,  a reciprocal  contract,  or 
promise  of  marriage,  after  his  death  ; though  he  is 
younger  than  she  is.  . . . Seeing  the  affair  was  of  so 
serious  a nature,  he  thought  it  prudent  to  provide  for 
the  safety  of  his  life  ...  so  communicated  the  whole 
to  the  Regency,  who  have  relegated  the  young  fellow 
to  the  Island  of  Porto  Ferraro,  and  the  lady,  I think, 
to  Prato.’ 

November  8 tin. — ‘All  our  Regents  have  deserted  us. 
I really  don’t  know  who  it  is  that  governs  us.  They 
all  fled  the  Eve  of  St.  Charles’s  day,  which  makes 
Gala  here  for  Prince  Charles,  and  though  we  had  been 
bid  to  leave  off  the  mourning  which  is  to  last  three 
months  for  the  Queen  of  Portugal,  we  had  nobody  to 
shew  ourselves  to,  on  that  day  or  since.  ...  We  have 
still  our  St.  Martin’s  summer  to  come  ; and  people 
have  too  much  faith  in  him  not  to  prolong  their  Ville- 
giatura.  I never  knew  the  town  so  empty.  This  has 
affected  the  Duke  of  Bridgewater  who,  after  a short 
stay,  set  out  this  morning  to  Rome,  with  a promise, 
which  I did  not  insist  upon,  of  returning  here  at  a 
better  season.’  (This  was  the  3rd  and  last  Duke  of 
Bridgewater.  He  was  so  silly,  when  young,  that  it 
was  in  contemplation  to  set  him  aside,  for  the  next 


1754. 


B 0 LINGBli  OKE. 


869 


heir.  He,  however,  succeeded,  and  held  the  Dukedom 
above  halt  a century:  1748 — 1803.)  ‘Yet  my  Lord 
and  Lady  Corke’  (sic,  and  so  spelt  by  Lord  Cork  him- 
self), ‘who  went  from  hence  a week  ago,  with  a resolu- 
tion of  settling  at  Pisa,  for  the  whole  winter,  agreeable 
to  an  established  scheme  of  (Economy,  which  brought 
them  out  ot  England,  have  not  been  able  to  resist 
the  dulness  of  that  place,  so  that  1 expect  them  back 
this  evening.  They  are  extreme  good  people.  My 
Lord  you  know,  is  an  author.’  (In  1751,  the  Earl 
of  Cork,  who  described  Pisa  as  a place  where  only 
cameleons  could  live,  and  where  horses  grazed  in  the 
streets,  after  playing  with  the  Muses  and  giving 
evidence  of  his  classical  tastes,  attained  both  notoriety 
and  celebrity  by  his  ‘Remarks  on  the  Life  and 
Writings  of  Dr.  Jonathan  Swift,’ — the  work  which 
\\  arburton  coarsely  assailed,  and  Johnson  roughly 
justified.  It  was  in  reference  to  this  famous  book 
that  Mann  proceeded  to  say  of  this  literary  scion  of  a 
literary  race) — ‘Lord  Corke  is  so  far  unprejudiced  as 
an  author,  that  I made  him  quite  give  up  his  hero,  on 
the  points  of  honour,  honesty,  and  even  patriotism, 
which  he  has  so  tortured  ; in  return  for  which,  I 
allowed  Lord  Bolinbroke  stile  and  clearness  of  expres- 
sion whenever  he  understands  himself.  . . . 

‘ . . . Some  time  ago  I had  a day  or  two’s  con- 
versation ’ (before  Bolinbroke’s  Letter  to  Sir  William 
Wyndham  was  published)  ‘with  Mr.  Fraigneau  (?)  who 
lived  some  years  with  Ld.  Bolinbroke  ; he  did  not 
in  the  least  satisfy  me  on  many  points,  though  he  took 
great  pains  to  defend  him  in  all.  Among  others,  when 
I asked  him  how  he  could  justify  his  behaviour,  after 

VOL.  i.  2 b 


370 


LORDS  CORK  AND  HUNTINGDON. 


1754. 


his  return  to  England,  or  his  ingratitude  to  your 
father,  to  whom  he  owed  that  favour,  he  said,  that 
the  first,  he  was  persuaded,  was  calculated  as  a better 
method  to  get  into  play  than  a quiet  submission  would 
have  been ; and  that,  to  his  certain  knowledge,  it  has 
succeeded  so  well,  that  had  the  late  King’  (George  I.) 
‘returned  from  Hanover,  Lord  B.  was  to  have  taken 
Sir  Robert  Walpole’s  place  ; of  which  circumstance 
Fraigneau  informed  Thos.  Pelham,  after  Lord  Bolin- 
broke’s  death,  and  though  at  first  Mr.  P.  treated  it 
with  scoff,  yet  yielded  it  to  the  proofs  he  supported  it 
with.’ 

December  13 th. — ‘ My  Lord  Corke  is  a very  good 
man,  and  much  more  agreeable  than  I should  have 
thought  the  author  of  the  Letters  on  Swift,  to  his  son, 
could  well  be.  (Economy  has  brought  my  Lord  and 
Lady  abroad,  though  they  don’t  well  know  how  to  put 
it  in  practice.  We  have  another  more  roving  genius 
here  in  Lord  Huntingdon,  who  will  most  certainly 
make  a great  figure.  He  has  parts  equal  to  anything 
he  undertakes,  and  a perseverance  that  surmounts  all 
difficulties.  He  has  acquired  great  knowledge  of  the 
world,  in  his  travels ; with  that,  very  easy  politeness, 
which  distinguishes  those  who  have  kept  the  best  com- 
pany ; at  the  same  time  that  the  learned  find  him 
perfectly  well  acquainted  with  every  part  of  Literature 
that  the  best  Education  furnishes,  he  has  learnt  Italian 
to  a surprizing  degree  of  perfection,  in  a month,  which 
he  studies  for  three  hours  every  morning,  and  then 
passes  as  many  more  with  Doctor  Cocchi  and  his 
medals ; after  which,  he  stays  till  past  4 in  the 
gallery,  to  examine  the  Statues  and  Busts,  with  Wilton’ 


1754 


PRIESTS  AND  FRIARS. 


371 


(the  English  Sculptor).  ‘ In  short,  he  takes  the  best 
method  to  succeed  in  everything  that  he  sets  about ; 
and,  with  all  his  application,  he  loves  dress,  so  that  in 
every  article,  I think  he  is  made  to  shine  with  great 
gout  and  Ease.  I seldom  mention  any  of  the  English 
to  you,  because  so  few  are  ever  worth  mentioning, 
except  for  their  absurdities,  but  Lord  Huntingdon  and 
his  friend,  Lord  Stormont,  with  your  friend,  Colonel 
Conway,  are  such  glaring  instances  of  merit  and  parts 
as  cannot  pass  anywhere  unobserved.’ 

That  £ rare  bird  ’ among  English  specimens  abroad, 
the  Earl  of  Huntingdon,  who  died  a bachelor,  in 
1789,  was  a student,  for  a year  and  a half,  at  the 
Academy  of  Caen.  Chesterfield  held  him  up  to  his 
son  as  the  model  of  a true  gentleman,  and  the  bright 
example  of  the  union  of  a scholar  with  the  man  of  the 
world.  Chesterfield  says : ‘ Lord  Stormont  is  well 
spoken  of  here.  However,  in  your  connections,  if 
you  form  any  with  them,  show  rather  a preference 
to  Lord  Huntingdon,  for  reasons  which  you  will  easily 
guess.’  Mann  ends  the  year  with  these  words : — ‘ We 
are  not  as  yet  sensible  of  the  authority  the  Court  of 
Rome  has  acquired  over  us ; they  are  too  cunning  to 
begin  severely.  Nothing  has  appeared  as  yet,  but  two 
Edicts  of  the  Nuncio,  to  restrain  the  licentiousness  of 
his  Priests  and  Friars, — the  latter  being  absolutely 
forbid  to  go  out  alone  ; just  as  if  a companion  of  the 
same  frock  would  interfere  in  his  friend’s  pleasures.’ 


372 


DEATHS  OF  CARDINALS. 


1755. 


CHAPTER  XYI. 

1755. 

January  1 7th. — ‘We  are  in  daily  expectation  of 
hearing  of  Cardinal  Valenti’s  death  ; he  lays  waiting 
for  it  himself,  his  last  fit  has  already  killed  one  whole 
side.  Cardinals  Mellini  and  Forregiani  are  likewise 
far  gone  : but,  when  least  expected,  have  been  pre- 
ceded by  the  bold  Cardinal  Querini,  who  has  always 
been  at  open  war  with  the  Pope  and  Cardinal  Ricci. 
The  vacancies  will  hasten  the  promotion  which  is 
called  that  of  the  Corona,  and  as  the  Pretender  is 
allowed  to  keep  his  at  Rome,  he  too  has  a nomination, 
which  he  has  given  to  the  Bishop  of  Sens.’ 

The  thoughts  of  the  Florentines  were  soon,  how- 
ever, busy  with  the  serious  trifling  of  the  Carnival, 
which,  says  Mann,  March  5th,  includes  ‘ every  thought 
or  occupation  but  such  as  relate  to  masking  and  balls 
in  the  Theater,  which,  however,  are  as  solemn  as  the 
gravest  bare-faced  Assemblies.  Here  is  none  of  that 
fun  which,  travellers  tell  me,  our  Masquerades  in 
England  abound  with.  No  stolen  matches  from 
thence,  no  Nuns  in  disguise  who  step  to  a neighbour- 
ing Bagnio  with  their  Gallants,  in  short  nothing  that 
unnerves  a sober  spectator.’  Lent  followed  with  its 


1755. 


THE  BUG  BE  PENTHIEVBE. 


373 


solemnities,  from  which  English  amateurs  of  antiques, 
and  Florentine  dealers  in  busts,  statues,  and  ancient 
pictures,  were  aroused  by  an  Edict  from  the  Regency, 
prohibiting  the  exportation  of  those  and  other  objects 
coming  under  the  denomination  of  Cose  Rare. 

‘ It  is  strange/  Mann  writes,  ‘ that  people,  under 
pretence  of  maintaining  the  lustre  of  a country,  should 
adopt  measures  so  exactly  opposite  to  those  by  which 
it  was  raised  to  a certain  pitch  of  reputation.  The 
family  of  Medici,  to  whom  all  Europe  is  indebted  for 
the  restoration  of  Arts  and  Sciences,  made  no  such 
Edict,  which,  with  regard  to  the  things  that  really 
serve  for  the  ornament  of  the  country,  was  unneces- 
sary, as  the  removal  of  the  Collection  in  the  Gallery 
is  provided  against  by  an  article  in  the  Act  of  Suc- 
cession.’ 

Living  curiosities,  however,  flowred  into  Florence. 
A daughter  of  the  Duke  of  Modena,  wife  of  the 
Duke  de  Penthievre,  died  at  Paris,  on  the  30th 
April,  1754,  at  the  age  of  27  years.  This  Duke  was 
a ‘ Grand  Admiral,’  but  no  sailor,  though  he  was 
a brave  soldier.  He  and  his  wife  were  extremely 
devout.  ‘ We  have  had  the  Duke  de  Penthievre  here 
for  a few  days.  He  travels  to  dissipate  his  grief  for 
the  loss  of  his  wife,  but  he  won’t  be  dissipated.  He 
carries  Grief  about  in  triumph.  It  is  incredible  with 
what  expense  as  well  as  trouble,  he  travels.  His  train 
is  most  numerous,  among  which  is  M.  le  Garde  des 
Bijoux,  as  well  as  many  other  unnecessary  folks  of 
whom  he  can  make  no  use.  His  method  is  to  travel 
as  slow  as  he  can,  for  he  won’t  go  fast,  or  more  than 
two  posts  a day,  from  one  town  to  another ; and  when 


374 


SIR  BORAGE  MANN,  BART. 


1755. 


there,  not  to  see  the  curiosities,  much  less  the  inhabi- 
tants of  it.  People’s  curiosity  here  to  see  him  was 
equal  to  the  pains  he  took  to  hide  himself,  though  the 
Ladies  followed  him  to  all  his  Masses  and  Churches, 
and  would  have  been  glad  to  see  the  tip  of  one  of  the 
tresses  of  his  wife’s  hair,  which  he  carries  pleated  in 
his  breast,  with  many  other  tokens  that  he  intends  to 
bemoan  the  loss  of  her,  for  a long  time,  unless  he  falls 
in  love  at  Modena  or  Turin.’  Mann  does  not  say  that 
the  Duke  travelled  as  Comte  de  Dinan,  or  that  Florian 
was  his  secretary  and  friend.  It  may  be  added  that 
the  Duke’s  daughter  married  the  Due  de  Chartres,  and 
became  the  mother  of  Louis  Philippe. 

On  the  15th  February,  Mann  was  raised  to  the 
dignity  of  a Baronet,  with  reversion  to  his  brother 
Galfridus.  Walpole  congratulated  him  on  his  being 
raised  to  chivalry,  and  Sir  Horace  bore  his  honours 
modestly,  and  wished  the  English  Government  would 
increase  his  pay,  and  discharge  all  arrears  that  were 
due.  In  Florence,  this  promotion  in  rank  gave  rise  to 
some  gossip  among  the  Italians.  £ I can’t  account  for 
the  whisper  that  was  spread  of  my  having  been  at 
Rome,’  writes  Sir  Horace,  April  12th  ; £ I have  hardly 
been  out  of  my  house  during  the  very  severe  winter, 
nor  do  I love  travelling.  I don’t  even  go  to  Pisa  for 
the  famous  triennial  battle  of  the  bridge,  which  is  to 
be  to-morrow,  unless  the  report  be  true  that  the 
Regency  has  absolutely  forbid  it,  on  account  of  a riot 
which  happened  there  a few  days  ago ; as  the  two 
Banners  were  carrying  to  be  blessed,  they  met  in  the 
street,  and  fought  so  desperately  before  the  time,  that 
some  people  were  killed  on  both  sides.  Nothing  can 


1755.  THE  MARGRAVINE  OF  BAREITH.  375 


exceed  the  fury  of  the  Pisans  on  this  subject.  Santa 
Maria  ! and  St.  Antonio  ! are  appellations  that  pro- 
duce as  much  animosity  as  ever  the  Guelphs  and 
Ghibellines  did.’ 

One  of  the  most  singular  visitors  to  Florence  this 
year,  was  the  celebrated  sister  of  Frederick  the  Great, 
Frederica  Sophia  Wilhelmina,  the  wife  of  the  Mar- 
grave of  Bareith.  In  her  ‘ Memoirs,’  published  more 
than  sixty  years  ago,  she  describes  German  princes  and 
manners  in  such  terms  as  to  give  the  reader  an  im- 
pression that  the  scenes  in  imperial,  royal,  princely, 
and  high-noble  houses,  were  like  those  to  be  seen  in 
extravaganzas  and  the  introductions  to  pantomimes. 
The  individuals  seem  to  move  and  speak  to  the  most 
outrageously  comic  music,  and  reading  the  Margra- 
vine’s pages  now,  the  capering,  stumbling,  quarrelling, 
and  ever  laughably  restless  personages,  recall  to  the 
mind  the  clever  Paynes  or  the  equally  clever  Yokes 
family  in  the  most  burlesque  of  their  representations. 
The  Princess,  bom  in  1707,  was  married  to  the  Mar- 
grave in  1731.  After  her  arrival  in  Florence,  the 
Regent,  Richecourt,  gave  her  an  ‘ Academie  de  Belles 
Lettres,’  that  is,  a dinner  and  assembly  of  learned 
people,  a fitting  compliment,  it  was  thought,  to  the 
learned  Margravine  of  Bareith.  ‘For  whose  amuse- 
ment,’ says  Sir  Horace,  May  10th,  ‘there  was  the 
Gioco  della  Sibilla.  She  proposed  all  the  questions  to 
the  Sibilla  who  is  represented  by  a child.  Buondel- 
monte  and  Lami  were  the  interpreters.  The  first 
question  was,  which  was  the  greatest  man,  Aristotle  or 
Alexander  ? The  answer  to  this  was  “ Stella.”  Great 
pains  was  taken  to  make  a comparison  between  them, 


876 


A CURIOUS  GAME. 


1755. 


but  unluckily,  Buondelmonte  seemed  to  forget  that 
Aristotle  had  been  mentioned,  and  as  it  was  more 
convenient  to  chuse  somebody  of  the  same  trade, 
he  adopted  Charles  the  12th,  and  then  Cromwell,  to 
compare  with  Alexander  ; and,  after  having  wandered 
extremely,  he  could  not  avoid  to  talk  a great  deal  of 
nonsense,  to  prove  that  “ Stella  ” was  a very  clear  and 
proper  answer  to  the  question  proposed  ; — that  Alex- 
ander was  a star  of  the  first  luster,  of  which  he  gave 
a definition,  and  thereby  showed  that  he  wTas  as  bad  an 
astronomer  as  he  was  an  historian.  Lami  came  off 
better  in  both  respects. — The  second  question  was : 
Why  the  ancient  Tuscans  were  more  given  to  the 
Science  of  Divination  than  the  other  People  of  Italy  ? 
To  which  the  Sibil,  with  her  usual  clearness,  answered 
“ Trota  ” — upon  which,  infinite  nonsense  was  talked  ; 
as  well  as  upon  the  third  question  : whether  matter 
was  divisible  a Vinjini.  The  answer  was  “ Tamburo,” 
upon  which  Buondelmonte  began  by  observing  that 
the  Sibil  already  denoted  that  it  was  a question  that 
had  made  a great  noise  in  the  world  ! 

‘ This  ridiculous  amusement  lasted  for  many  hours. 
Many  Ladies  were  invited,  and  as  they  neither  under- 
stood a word  of  what  was  said,  nor  could  have  their 
Cicisbeos  by  them,  to  talk  of  something  else,  they 
were  almost  asleep.  The  Margravine  honoured  me 
with  some  observations,  as  I happened  to  be  the  only 
man  near  her,  and  though  she  was  inclined  to  approve, 
she  allowed  me  to  say  that  it  was  a torturing  of 
common  sense,  to  adapt  the  Sibils  answers  to  the 
questions,  and  that  they  were  often  above  the  portae 
of  the  Interpreters  to  talk  extempore  upon  . . . and 


1755. 


THE  MARGRAVE  OF  BAREITH. 


877 


that  upon  the  whole,  this  sort  of  amusement  was  a 
proof  of  the  decay  of  knowledge  in  the  country  ; but, 
Count  Richecourt  came  up,  and  by  his  great  enco- 
niums  upon  the  learning  which  the  Interpreters  had 
shown,  as  well  as  of  the  great  use  of  such  an  Institu- 
tion, to  form  the  judgments  of  young  as  well  as  old 
people,  by  torturing  their  brains  to  prove  that  the  Art 
of  Divination  in  Ancient  Etrusco  was  like  a “ Trout,” 
stoped  our  mouths,  and  I make  no  doubt  that  any 
great  Lady  of  spirito,  who  comes  here  for  the  future, 
will  insist  upon  having  an  Accademia  and  II  Gioco 
della  Sibilla  made  for  her. 

‘ Count  Richecourt  entertained  the  Margrave  and 
his  Court  at  Dinner,  at  which  I had  the  honour  to 
assist.  Great  state  was  observed  and  the  conversa- 
tion was  very  languid ; to  enliven  which,  I suppose, 
the  Margrave  asked  the  Master  of  the  Table,  which 
he  had  rather  have  been,  St.  Francis  or  Caesar  ? He 
did  not  decide.  There  was  a concert  of  Musick  after 
dinner,  which  all  the  men  would  willingly  have  dis- 
pensed with,  as  we  were  forced  to  stand  the  whole 
time,  for  want  of  an  order  from  Her  Royal  Highness 
to  sit  down.  She  was  pleased  to  distinguish  me,  by 
talking  to  me,  the  whole  time  ; for,  as  she  is  a great 
composer  of  Musick,  as  well  as  of  Operas,  Tragedies, 
etc.,  the  performers  did  not  please  her  at  all ; even  the 
Margrave,  she  said,  played  much  better  ; so  she  did 
not  attend,  but  talked  to  me  of  her  Brother,  shewed 
me  his  picture,  and  took  occasion  to  say  that  it 
was  very  unfortunate  that  the  King  of  England, 
her  Unckle,  had  not  that  goodness  for  his  family 
that  might  be  expected,  and  that  her  brother  very 


378  THE  KINGS  OF  IJ RUSSIA-  AND  ENGLAND.  1755. 


seriously  lamented  the  misunderstanding  that  was 
between  them.  I retorted  her  accusation,  laid  the 
whole  blame  upon  the  King  of  Prussia,  who,  I 
said,  had  not  even  that  regard  for  his  Unckle  which 
that  quality  (sic)  might  exact,  besides  the  decency 
observed  between  princes  ; and  that,  to  make  the 
breach  the  wider,  he  had  espoused  an  Interest  totally 
opposite  to  that  which  our  King  espoused.  . . . My 
discourse  led  me  to  the  brink  of  disrespect,  which 
however  I avoided,  and  she  was  not  at  all  offended. 
A Lady  who  was  near,  overheard  a part  of  our  dis- 
course, and  some  of  my  answers  have  been  since 
quoted  about  the  town.  She  took  occasion  to  turn 
into  ridicule  the  report  that  was  spread  of  both  her 
and  the  Margrave’s  design  of  changing  their  religion 
at  Rome.  I said  that  those  who  had  the  honour  to 
approach  her,  could  never  give  credit  to  it.’ 

The  ex-lady  Walpole,  or  Lady  Orford,  who  before 
and  after  her  husband’s  death,  had  various  lovers  in 
Florence,  but  chiefly  Richecourt,  had,  since  her  return 
to  England,  married  at  Keith’s  Chapel,  May  Fair,  Mr. 
Shirley ; from  whom  she  soon  separated,  and  in  1755 
again  established  herself  at  Florence.  Sir  Horace 
Mann  had  an  extreme  horror  at  the  idea  of  that  some- 
what audacious  lady  again  settling  in  that  city  and 
unsettling  all  society  into  which  she  could  penetrate. 
However,  the  reality  was  not  up  to  the  mark  of  the 
idea.  The  lady  took  her  fortune  with  her,  and  Floren- 
tine society  welcomed  her  back  with  such  an  accom- 
paniment. Mann  was  among  them,  but  he  excused  it 
on  the  ground  of  the  lady’s  total  change  of  manners. 

‘ She  lives,’  he  says,  May  30th,  ‘ with  great  decorum. 


1755. 


MANN'S  ARMS. 


379 


All  the  ladies  have  been  to  see  her  . . . She  has  the 
same  house  near  the  town,  in  which  she  lived  formerly 
. . . this  happens  to  be  near  Count  Richecourt’s,  who 
is  at  the  Pisa  baths.  His  daughter  dined  with  her 
here  a few  days  ago,  and  promised  to  be  a good  neigh- 
bour. In  return  the  ex-Countess  Dowager  gave  her  a 
superb  set  of  jewels.’  (The  whole  is  a good  illustration 
of  Lord  Cork’s  assertion  that,  above  all  things,  Floren- 
tine ladies  loved  decorum.  Another  lady  was  about 
to  astonish  them.)  ‘Your  friend,  the  Venetian  Am- 
bassadress is  studying  a harlequin  dance  with  which 
she  is  to  surprize  the  audience,  by  way  of  Intermezzo 
to  the  tragedy  which  is  acting  at  Frescati,  by  Roman 
Princes  and  Princesses.’ 

Mr.  Chute,  at  Sir  Horace  Mann’s  request,  furnished 
him  with  a motto  for  Mann’s  shield  of  arms,  to  be 
exhibited  to  Italian  Princes  and  Princesses.  Chute,  in 
part  allusion  to  the  goats  in  Mann’s  arms,  happily 
suggested,  ‘ Per  ardua  stabiles,’ — steady  in  difficult 
places.  ‘All  your  friends  approve  it,’  wrote  Walpole. 

‘ It  alludes  so  well  to  the  goats,’  wrote  Mann,  July 
19th,  ‘that  I am  justified  in  taking  it.  Lord  Corke, 
Doctor  Cocchi,  and  others  approve  of  it,  extremely.’ 

With  the  King’s  arms  in  front  of  his  house,  his 
pedigree  in  his  hall,  his  new  title,  and  the  new  legend 
on  his  seal,  the  Florentines  who  had  affected  most  to 
doubt  Mann’s  right  to  be  of  ‘ blood,’  now  acknow- 
ledged that  Sir  Llorace  was  a gentleman  and,  like  St. 
Patrick,  ‘ came  of  decent  people.’  One  of  the  first 
public  events  he  had  to  announce  was  the  following: 
‘ Tuscany  is  engaged  in  a war  with  Algiers,  which, 
however,  it  cannot  support,  as  the  expense  of  keeping 


380 


FRENCH  GUESTS. 


1755. 


two  thirds  of  the  whole  fleet  (that  is,  two  ships)  and 
of  some  little  precautions  to  defend  the  Coast,  is  too 
great  to  be  continued,  and  so  much  the  more  as  the 
Count  wants  a very  large  sum  of  money  to  carry  to 
Vienna  in  September.’ 

At  this  time,  France  and  England  were  on  such 
delicate  and  dangerous  terms  that  when  a French 
Commandant,  meeting  Captain  Howe  at  sea,  asked 
him  if  it  was  war  or  peace,  Howe  replied  by  firing  a 
broadside  into  him.  M.  de  Mirepoix  made  indignant 
complaint  to  our  Ministry,  and  those  gentlemen 
replied  that  it  was  ‘ a mistake  ’ which,  they  said,  was 
adding  ‘ une  Ironib  indecente  d une  Insulte  eclcitante.’ 
For  all  this,  Sir  Horace  was  on  a good  understanding 
with  Lorenzi,  the  French  Ambassador,  at  Florence. 

August  18 th. — ‘I  have  not  broke  as  yet  with 
Count  Lorenzi  who,  two  days  ago,  presented  two 
Frenchmen  to  me  at  an  Assembly,  telling  me,  he 
would  bring  them  to  my  home.  I made  the  common 
reply  que  je  serois  charme  de  faire  connoisscmce  avec 
ces  Messieurs.  One,  who  is  a President  du  Parlement 
de  Dijon,  answered  : Ah!  Monsieur,  il faut  se presser, 
upon  which  I invited  them  to  dinner  the  next  day.’ 

Sir  Horace  was  busied  in  endeavouring  to  procure 
a Last  Supper  for  Mr.  Chute’s  Chapel  at  the  Vine. 
The  pictures  he  saw  were  too  long  for  the  dimensions 
sent  by  that  not  too  pious  gentleman.  * The  Guests,’ 
writes  Sir  Horace,  ‘ being  only  placed  in  front  and  at 
the  ends  of  the  table.’  He  did  not  despair,  however, 
of  getting  a Last  Supper,  which  * shall  edify  the  most 
delicate  Protestant  Believer.’  In  the  course  of  his 
remarks,  he  says  : — ‘I  went,  yesterday,  with  Dr.  Cocchi 


1755. 


USE  MADE  OF  MARTYRS’  BONES. 


381 


to  look  at  a Cenacolo  in  the  Palace  Pitti.’  Had  it  suited 
he  would  have  had  it  copied,  but  he  adds  : ‘ I was 
greatly  tempted  to  steal  a piece  of  Chapel  Furniture 
from  the  private  Oratory  of  John  Gaston,’  (Giovanni, 
the  last  of  the  Medicean  Grand  Dukes)  ‘which  till  then 
had  escaped  my  observation,  and  which  alone  would 
answer  the  end  of  giving  a true  Catholick  air  to  our 
friend’s  Chapel.  It  was  a little  Tabernacle  of  about 
two  feet,  with  folding  doors,  which  always  stand  open 
to  shew  a small  Madonna  and  Child  in  her  arms, 
surrounded  by  some  Angels  and  Saints,  all  composed, 
as  the  man  assured  me,  of  Martyrs’  bones  pulverized 
and  worked  up  into  a paste.  What  reflections  does 
not  such  a private  retreat  of  Princes  and  Governors 
of  mankind  produce  ? ’ 

The  little  English  colony  in  Florence  soon  under- 
stood whether  war  or  peace  prevailed.  The  dispute 
between  England  and  France  referred  to  a boundary 
question  in  America.  The  locality  was  a riddle  to 
Sir  Horace  and  his  friends,  owing,  he  says,  to  4 bad 
maps.’  The  very  best  did  not  mark,  throughout,  the 
course  of  the  Ohio  ! At  the  same  time,  the  two 
French  Ambassadors  in  Tuscany  and  Modena  were 
threatening  the  English  4 with  all  the  Indignation  of 
their  Master,’  and  forbidding  them  their  houses, — but 
promising  to  be  civil  again  as  soon  as  England  re- 
pented of  her  ways.  Next,  came  the  news  of  the 
defeat  and  death  of  General  Braddock  which  caused 
great  depression  among  the  English  in  Florence.  The 
brave  and  rash  warrior  fell  into  an  ambuscade,  in  a 
wood  near  Fort  de  Quesne,  where  he  was  overwhelmed 
by  French  and  Indians.  The  retreat  of  the  fugitives 


ENGLISH,  DEPARTING. 


1755. 


was  covered  by  Major  Washington  and  his  Provincials. 
Our  Minister  and  his  countrymen  in  the  Tuscan 
capital  were  depressed  and  discouraged  by  the  news 
of  this  unlooked  for  defeat.  The  latter  began  to 
disperse. 

September  20th, — ‘ Lord  Corke  has  taken  a very 
sudden  resolution,  on  the  receipt  of  some  letters,  to 
set  out  for  England  in  a few  days,  though  he  had 
made  all  his  dispositions  to  pass  the  winter  here. 
This,  he  and  my  Lady,  in  an  appointed  visit  from 
the  country,  communicated  to  me,  with  an  air  of 
gravity  that  surprized  me.  I cannot  guess  the  motive, 
but  believe  it  to  be  a family  one.  Some  time  after, 
he  desired  I would  give  testimony,  in  my  letter  to  the 
Ministry,  of  his  conduct  here,  saying  that  he  knew  he 
had  been  formerly  misrepresented  to  the  King,  and 
assured  me  that  though  his  early  connections  with 
certain  people  (Jacobites)  might  have  given  cause  to 
suspect  his  principles,  yet  nobody  was  more  seriously 
attached  to  the  present  Establishment  than  he  was, 
being  convinced  from  his  heart  that  the  nation  could 
only  be  happy  under  it,  and  indeed  the  whole  tenour 
of  his  conversation  since  I have  known  him,  has  been 
agreeable  to  that  assertion.’ 

Another  of  the  departing  English  was  Miss  Pitt. 
Walpole  has  sketched  her  in  his  Letters.  ‘ The  famous 
Miss  Pitt  is  going  away  with  Mr.  Preston,  who  has 
lately  left  off  business  at  Leghorn,  in  order,  they  say, 
to  marry  her.  The  ceremony  is  to  be  performed  in 
Germany,  and  they  are  to  live  this  winter  in  Holland. 
She  has  had  a violent  quarrel  lately  with  a Mrs.  Pru- 
jean  (?)  about  Religion,  in  defence  of  which  she  has 


1755.  CHARACTER  OF  SIR  HORACE  MANN. 


383 


told  the  strangest  lies,  endeavouring  thereby  to  induce 
the  country-people  where  they  lived  to  pull  her  house 
down.  Mr.  P.  has  wrote  a long  letter  in  French  to 
Miss  Pitt,  of  which  he  has  given  copies  to  many.  A 
miserable  performance.  This  has  given  occasion  to 
Colonel  Warren,  a friend  to  both,  to  lament  their 
indiscretion  in  sparqinq  their  Dissenteries  to  the 
World.’ 

Mann  regretted  the  departure  of  Lord  Cork.  The 
Earl  has  left  testimony  in  his  book  on  Italy,  to  the 
merits  of  Sir  Horace  ; — his  hospitality,  geniality,  tact, 
good  taste, — and  also  to  his  honest  heart  and  his 
horrible  head-aches.  Another  visitor,  Alexander 
Drummond,  Consul  at  Aleppo,  recorded  in  ‘ a very 
vulgar,  foolish  book  of  travels  ’ (Walpole  calls  it)  his 
opinion  ‘that  Mann  was  extremely  polite,  that  he 
possessed  the  most  agreeable  qualities  that  distin- 
guish the  fine  gentleman,  that  his  house  was  a 
palace,  his  garden  when  lit  up,  was  a little  epitome 
of  Vauxhall ; and  that  Mann’s  Conversazioni  resemble 
our  Card  Assemblies.’  Walpole  laughs  at  this  simile, 
to  say  ‘ that  an  assembly  is  like  an  assembly.’  Consul 
Drummond  spoke  of  the  Florentine  ladies  at  these 
Assemblies  .with  a saucy  freedom,  very  like  that  of 
Walpole  himself ; and  as  the  latter  called  the  Consul’s 
book  foolish  and  vulgar,  Mann  ignored  the  author. 

‘ I protest,’  says  Sir  Horace,  ‘ that  I do  not  remember 
the  creature.’  Mann  and  ‘ the  Colony  ’ were  next 
agitated  by  the  threatened  invasion  of  England  by 
France.  If  made,  he  doubts  their  power  to  escape 
‘ in  their  flat-bottomed  boats.’  He  adds  : ‘ It  is  pro- 
bable that,  on  the  like  occasions,  they  will  employ 


384 


PRETENDER,  ELECTOR  OF  COLOGNE.  1755. 


their  Irish  and  Scotch  troops,  who  little  deserve  our 
compassion.’  Then  follow  the  subjoined  singular 
passages : — 

November  l&th. — ‘I  wish  you  could  tell  me  for 
certain  whether  the  young  Pretender  is  to  be  of  the 
party,  that  I might  let  the  Pope,  and  perhaps  his 
father  too,  know  where  he  is.  The  former,  not  long 
ago,  shewed  great  curiosity  to  know,  and  assured  Mr. 
Hope  that  he  believed  his  father  was  as  ignorant  of  the 
place  of  his  existence,  as  he  was.  Our  clumsy  Baron,’ 
(Stosch)  ‘ persists  in  his  opinion  that  he  does  not  exist 
at  all ! Others  here  account  for  the  secret  by  a 
supposition  that  he  was  mad,  and  confined  in  some 
Convent,  or  house,  near  Avignon.  His  people  now 
assert,  as  it  was  natural  to  suppose  they  would,  that 
he  is  well  and  in  France  ; and  France  will  probably 
not  deny  it,  whether  it  be  true  or  not.  . . .’ 

The  Elector  of  Cologne  was  then  puzzling  people 
as  to  his  whereabouts  as  much  as  the  young  Pre- 
tender. This  Prince-prelate,  ‘who  fancied  he  should 
divert  himself  extremely  at  Pome,  left  it  lately  on  a 
sudden.  He  expected  a distinguished  reception  from 
the  Pope.  His  first  disappointment  engaged  him  to 
go  into  the  country,  upon  a supposition  that,  though 
unasked,  the  Pope  would  alter  his  behaviour,  but  that 
not  being  the  case,  he  took  the  pretence  (though  he  is 
weak  enough  to  be  in  earnest)  of  hastening  to  St. 
Hubert’s  shrine,  to  prevent  the  effects  of  having  been 
licked  and  slobbered  by  a favourite  dog,  that  after- 
wards run  mad ; for  which  that  Saint  makes  an 
Amlet  (sic)  that  has  more  virtue  than  any  Relick 
in  the  Holy  Sanctuary  at  Rome.  We  have  here  in 


1756.  REMEDY  AGAINST  EYDROPEOBIA. 


385 


Florence,  a miraculous  nail,  which  was  a present  from 
San  Donato,  which,  I have  heard  Mr.  Acton  say,  he 
saw  applyed  “red  hot  to  the  hand  that  had  been 
bitten,  the  flesh  of  which  fryed  and  hissed,  but  with- 
out the  least  pain  to  the  patient,  who  was  most 
effectually  cured  by  it.”  Had  the  Elector  known  this, 
he  certainly  would  have  stopt  here,  to  apply  the  nail 
to  his  cheeks.’ 


1756. 

The  letters  addressed  to  Walpole  in  the  early 
months  of  this  year  are  unimportant.  In  part,  they  are 
replies  to  Walpole,  on  English  politics  ; in  part,  they 
are  taken  up  with  deep  expressions  of  sympathy  for 
the  writer’s  brother,  Galfridus,  who  was  dangerously 
ill  of  what  seemed  consumption,  and  of,  undoubtedly, 
an  unsympathetic  wife.  Why  quicksilver  was  ad- 
ministered to  Galfridus  for  this  complicated  disease 
puzzled  Doctor  Cocchi  and  other  Florentine  physicians 
from  whom  Sir  Horace  sought  enlightenment.  Cocchi 
condemned  Naples,  as  a place  unfit  for  persons  in  a 
‘ decline.’  Lisbon  was  not  to  be  thought  of,  since 
the  recent  Earthquake ; one  effect  of  which  was 
to  move  Florence  to  the  expression  of  much  kindly 
feeling,  for  a Florentine  merchant  whose  daughter 
perished  in  his  house, — from  which,  however,  he  had 
the  good  fortune  to  rescue  his  ledger  and  his  cash-box. 
One  other  circumstance  Mann  deals  with  at  immense 
length;  but,  briefly,  it  is  this.  The  Emperor  gave 
a ‘ patent  ’ to  the  Lucchese  to  make  a certain  new 
road,  and  they  at  once  addressed  themselves  to  the 

2c 


VOL.  I. 


386 


AN  OLD  JOKE. 


1756. 


work.  The  Regency  at  Florence,  who  represented  the 
Emperor,  as  Grand  Duke  of  Tuscany,  issued  a ducal 
order  to  prohibit  the  Lucchese  from  profiting  by  the 
Imperial  £ patent.’  The  Lucchese  persisted  ; where- 
upon the  Florentine  authorities  drowned  the  country  ; 
and  it  was  not  till  much  misery  had  been  endured  that 
submerged  Lucca  rose  from  out  the  floods  that  had 
been  let  loose  upon  her,  and  that  arrangements  were 
made  which  reconciled  the  Emperor  with  the  Grand 
Duke,  and  which  permitted  the  Lucchese  to  profit 
by  him,  in  one  character,  without  bringing  down 
vengeance  from  him  in  another.  In  April,  1756, 
Mann  was  in  sufficient  spirits  to  treat  Walpole  to  an 
anecdote.  The  Lord  of  Strawberry  had  recounted  an 
illustration  of  Lady  Coventry’s  naivete  in  her  reply  to 
a question  of  the  King’s,  if  she  was  not  sorry  that 
Masquerades  had  been  given  up  for  a time, — £ sacri- 
ficed ’ as  Walpole  said,  £ to  the  Idol,  Earthquake.’ 
The  Countess  answered,  £ No ; ’ she  was  tired  of 
them.  She  was  surfeited  with  most  sights  ; there  was 
but  one  left  that  she  wanted  to  see,  and  that  was  a 
coronation. — Mann  shows  that  this  was  really  an 
older  joke. 

£An  instance  of  the  same  kind  happened  to  Pope 
Orsini  (Clement  XII,  1730-40),  who,  asking  a German 
Baron  if  he  had  seen  all  the  curiosities  of  Rome,  and 
was  satisfied,  received  for  answer,  that  he  had  nothing 
to  desire  on  that  account,  but  to  see  a Sedia  vacante. 
This  Pope  would  have  made  some  lively  answer.  The 
last  hon  mot  that  is  quoted  of  him  is  on  occasion  of  his 
being  dissatisfied  with  the  French  Ambassador,  for 
having  so  often  deferred  his  entry,  and  told  him  that 


1756. 


VOLTAIRE’S  ‘ P UGELLE.  ’ 


387 


as  lie  heard  it  was  fixed  for  last  Sunday,  he  hoped  it 
would  take  place.  “ Yes,”  replied  the  Envoy,  “if  the 
weather  is  good,” — and  added  that  he  had  heard  his. 
Holyness  had  fixed  the  promotion  ’ (of  Cardinals, — 
urged  by  France)  ‘for  the  next  day,  and  lie  hoped  it 
would  take  place  likewise.  “ Yes,”  said  the  Pope,  “ if 
the  weather  is  good.”  ’ 

The  spring  of  this  year  ‘ La  Pucclle,’  the  base 
attack  of  a base  Frenchman  on  the  noblest  of  French- 
women, had  got  into  public  notice,  and  copies  were 
in  the  hands  of  Florentines  and  of  the  English  in 
Florence. 

April  16 th. — ‘Have  you  seen  a Poem  of  Voltaire, 
called  the  “ Pucellc  ? ” . . . It  was  handed  about  in 
manuscript,  and  now  it  is  printed,  entitled  “ La 
Jeane”  (?)  I am  told  he  was  really  frightened  when 
he  heard  that  the  former  was  got  into  the  world  by 
somebody’s  having  stolen  a copy  of  it,  which  made 
him  immediately  resolve  to  cause  it  to  be  printed,  as 
if  stolen  too  ; but  with  such  alterations  and  omissions 
of  every  thing  that  is  personal,  and  of  most  that  is 
free  about  religion  (or  I should  rather  say,  of  all  that 
is  downright  ridicule),  that  most  people  think  it  is 
quite  spoilt.  I have  only  read  it  in  manuscript,  for  as 
yet  there  are  but  one  or  two  printed  copies  here,  but 
as  many  are  expected,  I shall  then — by  favour  of  a 
person  less  scrupulous  than  I was  of  breaking  his 
promise  not  to  copy  the  former, — have  a compleat 
edition  by  adding  the  omissions  and  alterations,  and 
will  have  one  done  for  you,  if  you  should  like  it, — 
provided  you  don’t  tell  the  Bishop  of  London  ’ (Sher- 
lock), ‘ who  would  lay  to  our  charge  any  harm  the 


388 


CAUSES  OF  EARTHQUAKES. 


1756. 


French  may  do,  and  perhaps  call  them  only  the  instru- 
ments of  the  Lord’s  just  vengeance  by  fire  and  sword, 
for  the  enormous  sin  of  reading  such  a blasphemous 
work.’ 

‘ I have  by  accident  seen  his  Lordship’s  letter  upon 
occasion  of  the  Earthquake,  in  ’50.  Seriously,  it  hurt 
me.  I would  even  consent  to  limit  the  Liberty  of  the 
Press  to  suppress  such  performances,  which  not  only 
discredit  the  nation  in  general,  but  tend  to  weaken  the 
minds  and  impose  upon  the  understandings  of  His 
Majesty’s  subjects. — Has  nobody  courage  enough  to 
write  honestly  to  convince  the  people  that  Earthquakes 
are  produced  by  natural  causes  ? We  have  been  better 
off  than  you,  for  we  have  had  our  Masquerades,  etc., 
as  usual,  impunely  ’ (sic). 

Anxiety  for  his  brother  Galfridus  is  expressed  at 
length  in  various  successive  letters.  Mann  is  ex- 
cessively angry  with  the  blistering  and  drugging  to 
which  Gal  is  subjected,  £a  method  of  physicking  which 
is  quite  exploded  here.  I was  witness  a few  days  ago 
to  the  writing  which  Lady  Orford  signed  for  Mr. 
Shirley’s  separate  maintenance,  £750  a year,  upon  his 
renouncing  all  right  and  title  to  her  Effects,  and 
authority  over  her  person.’  In  another  letter  Mann 
writes  of  Lady  Orford : ‘ She  told  me,  upon  my  deliver- 
ing to  her  that  parchment,  that  she  now  looked  upon 
herself  as  unmarried  again,  upon  which  I gave  her  joy, 
but  told  her  that  if  it  had  been  my  case  I would  not 
have  let  her  be  off  so  cheap.’ 

The  quarrels  of  nations  now  took  place  of  private 
dissensions.  On  the  18tb  May,  England  declared  war 
against  France,  on  the  ground  of  the  encroachments  of 


1756. 


OUR  ADMIRALS. 


389 


the  latter  country  in  Nova  Scotia  and  on  the  Ohio,  of 
the  invasion  of  Minorca,  and  the  violation  of  several 
articles  of  the  treaty  of  Aix  la  Chapelle,  which  France 
had  solemnly  undertaken  to  observe.  When  the  Due 
de  Richelieu  set  out  for  Minorca,  he  said  the  matter 
would  be  a dejeuner  for  the  troops  of  the  King  his 
master.  The  unfortunate  Byng,  as  some  call  that  in- 
competent Admiral,  unfortunate  for  England,  met  the 
French  fleet  under  G-alissoniere,  and  after  a ‘ scuffle  5 
or  two,  withdrew  from  the  fight,  and  repaired  to  Gib- 
raltar, to  refit.  He  was  superseded  by  Hawke,  who 
was  sent  out  too  late  to  relieve  Port  St.  Philip,  and 
recover  Minorca.  When,  on  the  afternoon  of  the  14th 
July,  the  valet  de  chambre  of  the  Count  d’Egmont 
entered  the  box  of  the  Countess  (Richelieu’s  daughter) 
at  the  Comeclie  Italienne,  and  spoke  to  her,  the  lady 
nearly  fainted  with  joy,  the  public  broke  forth  into 
triumphant  shouts,  the  singers  sang  a Song  of  Victory 
which  had  been  prepared  beforehand,  and  soon  after 
the  city  of  Paris  blazed  with  illuminations  and  fire- 
works, and  shook  again  with  the  pealing  of  bells  and 
the  thundering  of  artillery.  Day  by  day,  meanwhile, 
our  Minister  at  Florence  was  in  extreme  agony  at  the 
dark  hour  which  had  fallen  upon  old  England.  His 
Florentine  friends  told  him  that  Minorca  would  be 
given  to  Spain,  and  probably  Gibraltar  would  be 
restored  to  her.  When  he  heard  that  the  Genoese 
had  joined  France,  Mann  recognized  the  old  saying 
of  them  as  people  senza  fede.  ‘ What  an  oppor- 
tunity has  been  lost’  (July  20th);  £at  present  two 
privateers  of  16  guns  and  of  24,  that  are  between 
Corsica  and  Leghorn  prevent  any  of  our  Merchant- 


390 


LACK  OF  SYMPATHY. 


17b6. 


men  leaving  that  port.  ’ The  partiality  of  the  Flo- 
rentine Regency  for  the  French  enraged  him.  ‘ It  is 
so  great/  he  writes,  in  August,  ‘that  there  is  no  bear- 
ing it.  The  head  of  this  Government,  a Lorrainer, 
that  is  to  say,  tho’  it  may  be  doing  him  honour,  a 
Frenchman,  who  in  the  best  of  times,  when  it  would 
have  been  impolitic  to  break  with  us,  could  never  so 
far  restrain  himself  as  to  conceal  his  hatred,  now  thinks 
himself  at  full  liberty  to  be  as  partial  as  he  pleases ; 
but  what  you’ll  think  very  odd  is,  that  the  Tuscans 
who  hate  them  are  all  turned  French  too,  and  even  at 
Leghorn,  where  our  folks  contribute  so  essentially  to 
feed  and  enrich  thousands,  they  are  all  against  us  too, 
and  exult  in  what  must  greatly  contribute  to  the  ruin 
of  their  trade,  if  our’s  is  in  any  way  excluded  by  the 
French  from  the  Mediterranean.’ 

Maria  Theresa  (for  few  persons  spoke  of  her  hus- 
band, the  Emperor  Francis)  had  entered  into  a friendly 
treaty  to  observe  neutrality  with  the  French,  against 
whom  she  had  been  formerly  maintained  by  the  sup- 
port of  England.  ‘ Nobody  dares  disapprove  of  the 
new  alliance.  I really  know  not  yet  what  the 
Austrians  say  to  justify  such  ingratitude.  I hope  this 
league,  like  that  of  Cambray,  will  turn  at  last  to  the 
disadvantage  of  one  of  the  principal  promoters  of  it.’ 

In  August,  Sir  Horace  writes  : ‘We  have  many 

people  here  from  Minorca ; they  all  give  strange 
accounts  of  it ; I mean  our  own  people.  The  General 
(Blakeney’s)  great  age  and  gout  made  him  quite  in- 
active. The  whole  fatigue  of  the  siege  fell  on  two  or 
three  officers,  Jeffries,  Boyd,  and  Cunningham— an 
Ingeneur  (sic),  but  a volunteer  on  this  occasion ! — there 


17515. 


FRENCH  SUCCESSES. 


391 


were  not  officers  enough  to  sec  or  direct  the  execution 
of  the  most  common  things.  To  this  the  French  owed 
the  lives  of  many  thousands,  as  many  of  the  mines 
were  not  sprung  for  want  of  Directors,  and  others 
attempted  so  late  that  the  French  carried  off  the 
Matches  before  they  took  effect.’ 

‘Mr.  Duncan,  their  clergyman,  told  me,  that  at  the 
time  of  the  assault,  many  of  the  men  had  been  three 
days  on  duty,  and  that  nearly  the  whole  garrison  was 
so  fatigued  that  they  must  have  surrendered  in  a 
day  or  two.  The  Chevalier  Lorcnzi  is  come  from 
thence  and  gives  most  pompous  accounts  of  his 
bravery.  He  is  very  civil  and  makes  me  frequent 
visits,  tho’  I can  only  return  them  en  Wane  (i.c.  by 
leaving  a card,  a new  fashion.)  His  brother  (French 
Ambassador  at  Florence)  would  think  himself  guilty 
of  treason  if  more  than  my  name  entered  His  doors.’ 

It  was  the  design  of  Lorenzi’s  august  master,  the 
King  of  France,  to  make  a French  lake  of  the  Medi- 
terranean, and  to  ‘ chasscr  les  Anglais  de  la  Mcditer- 
ranee  ’ for  ever  I In  the  mean  time,  Mann  feared  the 
designs  of  France  in  Italy,  and  the  evils  that  might 
arise  even  out  of  the  squabbles  between  the  Pope  and 
the  Pretender  ! 

‘ . . . The  French  Ambassador  at  Rome  is  blowing 
up  the  coals.  . . . The  Pretender,  ever  since  the  illness 
of  the  late  Cardinal  Ruffo,  so  long  Deacon  of  the 
Colledge,  fixed  his  eye  upon  the  vice-Chanccllorship  di 
Santa  Chiesa  for  his  devout  Son ; but  he  was  then 
told  that  it  was  promised  by  the  Tope,  to  his  favorite, 
Cardinal  Colonna,  who  accordingly  had  it.  Again, 
on  the  death,  of  Cardinal  Valenti,  it  being  foreseen  that 


392 


TEE  PRETENDER  OFFENDED. 


175G. 


Cardinal  Colonna  would  quit  it,  to  be  made  Camer- 
lingo,  the  Pretender  applyed  to  him  for  his  interest 
with  the  Pope  in  favour  of  his  Son  ; but  was  told 
that  the  Cardinal  knew  it  was  designed  for  another 
person ; but  that  as  the  Chevalier  still  insisted  upon 
it,  he  would  speak  to  the  Pope,  from  whom  the 
Cardinal  soon  after  confirmed  what  he  had  said  before. 
The  Pretender  still  thought  that  the  Pope  would  not 
have  the  courage  to  refuse  him  Avhat  his  Mediators  had 
not  been  able  to  obtain.  He  therefore  wrote  a Letter 
to  the  Pope,  which  the  Pontiff,  either  out  of  forgetful- 
ness or  design,  neglected  to  answer.  And  it  being 
known  some  days  after  that  Cardinal  (illegible)  was  to 
receive  his  Commission  the  next  morning,  for  that  Im- 
ployment,  the  Pretender  went  to  Marquis  Stanivelli’s, 
to  complain  of  the  usage  he  had  met  with,  and  there 
took  a resolution  to  return  to  Albano.  Accordingly, 
the  next  day,  after  dinner,  he  left  Rome  without  any 
previous  notice  to  his  family,  or  without  taking  leave 
of  the  Pope,  or  asking  for  his  Guard,  as  usual.  He 
then  wrote  to  Cardinal  Spinelli  to  acquaint  him  with 
his  motives,  and  if  a proper  reparation  was  not  made 
for  the  affront  in  not  answering  his  Letter,  he  should 
be  obliged  to  carry  his  person  and  Misfortunes  into 
another  country.  The  Guards  were  sent  after  him  ; 
his  Son  followed  three  days  after,  and  the  day  of  the 
departure  of  the  Letters,  Cardinal  Spinelli  was  set  out 
for  Albano,  after  having  had  two  audiences  of  the 
Pope,  on  this  weighty  affair,  for  the  sequel  of  which 
you  must  wait  till  next  post.’ 

The  sequel,  however,  is  not  recorded  in  Manns 
letters,  the  next  of  which  is  partly  occupied  with 


1756. 


ANTI-ENGLISH  FEELING. 


303 


references  to  the  Regent  of  Tuscany,  Richecourt,  who, 
as  Frenchman  and  Austrian  official,  representing  the 
new  alliance,  exhibited  a miserable  lack  of  dignity  as 
vicegerent  in  Tuscany, — which  was  not  at  war  with 
England. 

October  23rd. — ‘He  behaved  quite  childishly  on 
the  two  late  Gala  Days,  the  4th  and  15th;  the  first, 
the  Emperor’s,  and  the  latter,  the  Empress’s  day, 
upon  neither  of  which  he  invited  a single  Englishman 
to  dinner,  though  all  other  strangers,  I mean  some  of 
each  nation,  were  asked.  This,  the  ’ (English)  ‘ Lords 
resented ; did  not  pay  their  court  in  the  morning  as 
usual,  nor  put  on  Gala  at  the  Theater.  This  was 
much  noticed  by  the  Lorrainers  and  spoke  of.  I myself 
perceived  that  Richecourt  was  struck  on  seeing  me 
enter  his  Levee  room  in  the  morning,  with  Mr.  Dick 
only  (the  new  Consul  at  Leghorn)  instead  of  being  at 
the  head  of  a numerous  Colony,  as  usual.  He  said 
nothing  to  me ; seemed  disconcerted  and  perceived 
that  I did  not  stay  above  five  minutes.  The  town, 
which  will  judge  of  everything,  approved  of  all  this.’ 
Walpole’s  comment  on  this  arrogance  was  : ‘ There  is 
nothing  so  catching  as  the  insolence,  of  a great  proud 
woman  by  a little  upstart  minister.  The  reflection  of 
the  sun  from  brass  makes  the  latter  the  more  trouble- 
some of  the  two.’  Walpole  rejoiced  that  the  English 
in  Florence  showed  a ‘disregard  of  Richecourt.’ 

The  fine  autumn  helped  to  keep  up  the  spirits  of 
‘ the  colony.’  Sir  Horace  thus  ends  this  letter  of 
October  23rd  : — ‘ We  have  still  so  fine  a day  now  and 
then,  that  this  very  day  we  have  dined  under  the 
tents  in  my  garden,  had  a Dish  of  beans  and  Bacon 


394 


ILLNESS  OF  RICHE  COURT. 


1756. 


and  Gooseberry  tarts.  Mrs.  Dick  says  that  this  is 
living  ! ’ In  the  political  combinations  of  the  time,  the 
Grand  Ducal  Tuscans  discovered  the  cost  of  having 
in  their  Grand  Duke,  an  Emperor.  November  13th: — 
£The  Tuscans  who,  for  many  ages,  have  not  been 
martial,  are  to  contribute,  as  an  Imperial  Fief,  to  join 
in  the  destruction  of  Prussia.  Three  Batallions,  with 
six  companies  of  Grenadiers,  have  had  two  orders,  and 
only  wait  the  third,  to  march.  They  are  so  humble 
and  so  civil  upon  it,  that  it  is  edifying.  Pdchecourt, 
as  long  as  he  wa3  able,  opposed  this  martial  dispo- 
sition, but  he  is,  for  the  present,  incapable  of  doing 
any  more  good  or  harm,  having  been  attacked  by  a 
severe  stroke  of  palsy  last  Sunday  night,  which  for  a 
considerable  time  took  away  the  use  of  his  whole  left 
side.  The  proper  application  of  bleeding,  blisters,  etc., 
have  so  far  recovered  him  that  there  seems  no  im- 
mediate danger,  but  a perfect  recovery  is  thought  more 
than  doubtful.  This  is  a great  epoque  for  Tuscany.’ 

£ . . . The  French  troops  have  landed  in  Corsica  ! 
Everybody  saw  that  unless  we  had  taken  possession 
of  the  ports  of  that  island,  it  would  be  impossible 
to  exclude  the  French.  I fear,  a3  that  was  the  only 
operation  left  for  our  fleet  to  do,  people  will  be  angry. 
Our  Merchant  ships  are  taken  in  sight  of  Leghorn.  I 
am  now  reclaiming  turn  that  were  taken  from  under 
the  cannon  of  the  former.  The  fleet,  we  hear,  is  at 
Gibraltar.  ...  I am  vastly  afraid  that  domestic  or 
rather  personal  matters  ’ (ministerial  changes,  in  Eng- 
land) £ take  off  their  attention  from  things  of  such  great 
importance  that  we  are  engaged  in,  and  which  would 
require  a well-concerted  and  regularly  pursued  system. 


1756. 


COMPLICATIONS. 


395 


Our  enemies  set  us  an  excellent  example  in  this.  I 
am  sorry  to  hear  of  the  follies  of  those  who  have  no 
call  to  meddle  with  State  affairs,  hut  yet  whose  rank 
makes  them  more  conspicuous.’ 

Among  the  complications  which  bewildered  other 
men  besides  our  Minister  at  Florence,  was  that  with 
Austria.  England  had  a right,  under  former  treaties, 
to  demand  the  quota  Austria  (or  Maria  Theresa)  was 
bound  to  furnish  as  aid  against  France ; but  the 
Empress-Queen,  whose  mendacity  was  equal  to  her 
audacity,  ‘has  so  whimsically  jumbled  matters,’  (as 
Mann  writes,  on  December  13th)  £as  to  make  that 
demand  on  England,  on  account  of  the  difficulties 
which  her  having  joyned  with  our  only  enemy  has 
drawn  her  into  ! ! . . . In  the  mean  time  she  will 
probably  raise  a civil  war  in  Germany,  thus  still 
doing  the  business  of  France  . . . She  has  got  the 
Aulick  Council  to  condemn  the  City  of  Frankfort  in  a 
fine  of  400,000  florins  for  not  having  obeyed  their 
former  decree  with  regard  to  putting  a stop  to  the 
raising  recruits  for  the  King  of  Prussia,  in  their  town 
or  district.  It  is  said  the  Elector  of  Mentz  is  to  have 
the  execution  of  this  sentence,  and  that  he  is  to  be 
assisted  therein  by  the  Austrian  troops  that  are  march- 
ing from  Flanders.  There  is  likewise  a decree  issued 
by  the  Aulick  Council,  against  the  people  of  Nurem- 
berg, for  having  resisted  their  Magistrates  when  they 
would  have  stopt  the  recruiting  for  the  Prussians. 
The  Bishop  of  Wurtzburg  is  to  put  this  last  sentence 
into  execution.’ 


396 


POPE  BENEDICT  XIV. 


1757. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

1757. 

Sir  Horace  begins  the  new  year  in  low  spirits  at 
bis  brother’s  deplorable  illness,  and  with  angry  remon- 
strance at  the  way  in  which  Galfridus  was  being 
mercilessly  drugged  and  tar-watered  : both  processes 
much  in  fashion.  The  very  long  letter  does  not  touch 
on  matters  connected  with  Italy,  till  the  last  paragraph, 
which  refers  to  a man  who  was  not  quite  in  the  ex- 
tremity he  had  been  thought  to  be  in — Benedict  XIV. 
(Lambertini),  who  had  been  Pope  from  1740. 

January  1st. — ‘The  Pope,  who  has  had  the 
extreme  unction,  was  so  much  better  at  the  departure 
of  the  last  letter  that  he  was  almost  thought  out  of 
danger.  The  Cardinals  are  out  of  all  patience.  One 
of  his  last  bon  mots  was  to  the  surgeon,  wdiose  name 
is  Ponzio,  who  made  excuses  for  hurting  him  with 
the  siringe.  The  Pope  replied  that  “ Cristo  aveva 
sofferto  sotto  Ponzio  Pilato  ; ed  Io,  chi  sono  suo 
Vicario  indegno,  clevo  soffrire  sotto  Ponzio  Coglione.”  ’ 
Mann’s  letter  of  January  8th  is  an  outburst  of 
affectionate  despair  at  the  death  of  his  brother  Gal- 
fridus, whom  Mann  loved  more  than  any  other 
member  of  his  family,  and  who  had  been  to  him  both 


1757.  DEATH  OF  BICHE COURT'S  DAUGHTER. 


397 


a father  and  a brother.  Speaking  of  Galfridus  Mann’s 
son,  he  says,  ‘ I should  think  the  little  boy  might  be 
better  educated  abroad  than  in  England.  I should 
therefore  most  ardently  wish  to  have  him  with  me. 
There  is,  I believe,  no  place  more  proper  for  the  educa- 
tion of  a youth  than  this,  where  he  may  be  instructed 
in  most  sciences  with  greater  care  and  much  less 
expense  than  in  England,  where  the  school  education 
is  confined  to  too  few  objects,  and  many  very  essential 
ones  are  neglected.  I should,  supposing  that  my 
situation  here  should  not  be  interrupted,  have  the 
consolation,  by  that  means,  to  cherish  my  own  dear 
Brother’s  memory,  by  my  care  and  tenderness  of  his 
son.’ 

The  manly  grief  finds  expression  and  leaves  tokens 
of  tears  in  subsequent  letters.  Mann’s  own  affliction 
served  to  move  his  sympathy  for  others  who  were 
afflicted,  and  he  thus  writes,  January  15th,  of  Riche- 
court’s  daughter,  whom  Lady  Orford  so  recently 
decked  with  jewels  : — 

‘Nothing  can  exceed  the  desolation  that  is,  at 
present,  in  Count  Richecourt’s  family.  He,  half  dead 
and  motionless,  is  confined  to  his  room,  suspecting,  but 
not  informed  of,  what  has  been  passing  in  his  daughter’s 
Appartment,  who,  upon  a miscarriage,  was  seized  with 
the  small-pox,  of  so  violent  a sort  that,  from  the  first 
instant,  the  dreadful  apprehensions  she  always  had 
of  that  illness  were  justified  by  the  opinion  of  the 
Physicians.  Yesterday,  at  noon,  she  was  seized  with 
a convulsion  that  deprived  her  of  her  speech,  but  not 
in  the  least  of  her  senses.  The  scene  of  her  taking- 
leave  of  her  husband  in  that  condition  was  most 


398 


DAMIENS  AND  LOUIS  XV. 


irsr. 


affecting,  and  his  frantic  despair  must  have  added  to 
her  distress.  They  were  passionately  fond  of  each 
other,  and  much  force  was  necessary  to  separate  them. 
She  afterwards  went  through  the  ceremonies  of  the 
Church,  even  the  Extreme  Unction,  still  in  her  senses. 
She  expired  at  seven  o’clock  last  night ; and  they  were 
forced  to  put  the  body  into  a coffin  and  remove  it  into 
a Church,  before  eleven  the  same  night.  All  this  is 
to  be  communicated  to  her  father  by  degrees,  whose 
fondness  for  her  may  make  it  fatal  to  him  in  the 
melancholy  condition  he  is  in.  I sympathize  so  much 
with  any  body  in  affliction  that  I could  not  refrain 
from  telling  you  this  melancholy  story.’ 

Mann  next  refers  to  the  attempt  of  Damiens  to 
stab  Louis  XV. 

‘ The  consternation  France  is  in  at  the  renewal 
of  the  age  of  Clements  and  Ravaillacs  will,  let  us  hope, 
take  off  their  attention  a while  from  the  war.  This 
atrocious  attempt  must  have  astonished  you.  Couriers 
have  been  sent  all  over  Europe  with  an  account  of  it, 
and  almost  daily  to  Parma.  The  last  we  have  heard 
of  these  was  in  the  King’s  own  hand,  with  this  ex- 
pression to  his  Daughter — mon  corps  se  porte  bien, 
mais  mon  esprit  ne  guerira  jamais  ! ’ (This  wretched 
King  whose  body  was  so  well,  but  whose  mind  was 
irrecoverably  shaken,  had  scarcely  been  scratched  by 
the  point  of  Damiens’  penknife,  through  a thickly 
quilted  waistcoat).  c He  was  always  afraid  sincd  those 
verses  about  “ Deux  Henris  immoles,”  etc.,  were 
found  under  his  plate.  What  will  he  be  now  ? No- 
body pretends  to  guess  whether  the  coup  came  from 
a J ansenist  or  a Molinist ; but  whether  from  one  or 


1757.  FRANCE  AND  TDD  YOUNG  PRETENDER.  399 


the  other,  it  is  surely  time  to  get  rid  of  a Bull  that 
is  capable  of  producing  such  mischief.  D’Argenson 
has  made  the  King  act  so  inconsistent  and  contra- 
dictory a part,  not  out  of  devotion,  but  because 
D’Argenson  is  convinced  that  the  Roman  Catholick 
religion,  in  its  full  extent,  is  necessary  for  a Monarchy.’ 
(Walpole  has  written  between  the  lines  : £ What  a 
reason  to  exclude  both  ! ’) 

‘I  must  tell  you  an  answer  that  Buondelmonte 
made  to  a question  that  was  proposed  in  the  Academy 
of  the  . . . ( illegible ) where  the  foolish  Gioco  della 
Sibilla  is  performed.  “ Why  do  the  French  love  their 
monarclis  more  than  other  nations  do  theirs?”  He 
hesitated  some  time,  and  then  said,  “J  don’t  know. 
Henry  the  2nd,  killed  by  a Frenchman;  Henry  the  4th, 
killed  by  a Frenchman  ; I don’t  know  if  these  be  signs 
of  love.”  I pass  all  my  evenings  alone,  and  find  more 
satisfaction  than  I could  have  at  the  Theaters.’ 

February  19 th. — In  this  long  letter, — devoted 
chiefly  to  English  politics,  and  containing  the  curious 
assertion  that,  if  England  was  in  want  of  Porto  Ferrajo, 
as  a harbour,  it  might  be  secured,  if  England  did  not 
still  neglect  the  easy  means  of  acquiring  a title  to 
Corsica,  by  paying  King  Theodore’s  debts, — there  is 
the  following  passage  : — 

‘ . . . I never  heard  before  that  the  King  of  France 
had  such  a personal  enmity  to  the  Young  Pretender. 
Where  is  he  ? We  can  get  no  account  of  him  from 
Rome,  and  his  father  is  again  quite  at  a loss.  Most 
undoubtedly,  the  Dauphin  would  assist  the  Pretender, 
with  all  his  power,  thinking  he  was  fighting  the 
cause  of  the  Faith.  I am  surprized  the  late  attempt 


400  THE  POPE  ANP)  THE  KING  OF  FRANCE.  1757. 


(Damiens’)  was  not  rather  made  upon  the  Dauphin 
than  on  his  father,  whose  chief  fault  is  weakness  and 
complyance  with  others’  opinions. 

‘ You  may  suspend  your  tears  still  for  some  time 
for  your  favourite  the  Pope,  who  is  so  well  recovered 
as  to  attend  to  business,  tho’  mostly  confined  to  his 
bed.  He  repents  having  interfered  so  much  in  the 
affairs  of  France  ; but  yet  could  not  help  it.  What 
Pope  dare  resist  such  strong  invitations  to  extend  the 
authority  of  the  Church,  when  promised  that  it  should 
be  supported  by  all  the  power  of  the  King  ? When 
a Cardinal,  Pope  Benedict  was  a Jansenist,  but,  you 
will  allow,  his  present  situation  is  a good  excuse  for 
changing  sentiments,  since  the  decrees  of  the  Church 
are  irrevocable.’ 

Sir  Horace  encloses  a copy  of  a letter  which  the 
Pope  addressed  to  Louis  XV.  When  it  is  remembered 
that  to  call  that  king  ‘ an  unclean  beast  ’ is  almost  an 
insult  on  the  beasts  themselves,  it  is  difficult  to  con- 
ceive how  even  a Pope  could  stoop  to  the  mendacity 
and  blasphemy  in  this  precious  document. 

‘ Benedict  P.  P.  XIV.  To  his  most  beloved  Son 
in  Christ,  Health  and  Apostolic  Benediction.  The 
unexpected  intelligence  which  we  have  received  of  the 
horrible  and  infamous  attempt  committed  on  the 
Sacred  Person  of  your  Majesty  had  for  some  time 
so  overwhelmed  us  that  we  hardly  knew  where  we 
were.  But,  having  at  last  come  to  ourselves,  we  have 
not  omitted,  immediately,  to  render  the  most  lively 
thanks  to  the  Great  God  that  your  Majesty’s  precious 
Life  has  been  secured,  and,  for  as  much  as  we  know, 
all  the  People  of  this  City  have  done  the  same.  Con- 


1757. 


THE  POPE’S  LETTEP. 


401 


sidering  next  what  your  Majesty  has  done  since  this 
attempt,  we  believe  that  we  cannot,  and  ought  not,  to 
attribute  the  rescuing  of  your  Person  to  any  other 
source  but  to  the  special  Providence  of  God,  who 
willed  its  safety  by  way  of  recompense  (as  may  be 
manifestly  believed),  for  the  great  fund  of  Religion 
which  Your  Majesty  has  always  had  in  your  heart, 
and  for  your  Righteous  Zeal  in  preventing  the  Church 
from  being  defrauded  of  its  Rights.  Sire,  common  to 
many,  not  to  say  to  all,  will  be  the  esteem  for  your 
Power,  but  we  pretend  to  distinguish  it  with  the  Love 
which  we  bear  to  your  Soul,  and  on  our  knees,  with 
tears  in  our  eyes,  we  pray  the  Great  God  to  grant  you 
a long  life,  and  a happy,  and  to  maintain  it  down  to 
the  hour  of  Death,  in  that  state  in  which,  since  this 
event,  it  has  been  so  exemplarily  conducted.  Your 
Majesty’s  prerogative  as  Eldest  Son  of  the  Church  is 
borne  in  mind,  and  with  the  utmost  fulness  of  heart 
we  give  to  Your  Majesty,  and  all  the  Royal  Family, 
our  Apostolic  Benediction. — Given  at  Rome,  the  19th 
of  January,  1757  ; the  17th  Year  of  our  Pontificate/ 

Mann  styles  this  ‘ a bad  letter,  which,’  as  he  says, 
‘was  wrote  in  Italian.’  About  the  time  that  it  was 
written,  the  following,  in  the  shape  of  a hand-bill,  and 
in  the  spirit  of  gross  flattery  to  Richecourt,  was  dis- 
tributed in  the  streets  of  Florence  to  the  number  of 
‘ some  thousands.’ 

‘ To  the  Most  Holy,  Equal- with-God  (Mary) 
commonly  called  Of  Good  Counsel,— the  Supplication, 
by  which,  One  of  grateful  mind,  not  forgetting  kind- 
nesses, devoutly  implores  the  safe  restoration  to  health 
of  the  most  Excellent  Lord, — the  Lord  Emanuel, 

2 D 


YOTj.  I. 


402 


A BLASPHEMOUS  PLAYER. 


1757. 


Count  of  Richecourt.  Queen  of  the  World,  Supreme 
Lady  of  the  Heavens, — Mary  ! who  permittest  no  one 
to  be  afflicted  who  trusts  in  Thee, — turn,  benignly, 
thy  eyes  of  mercy  on  Thy  most  devoted  servant 
Emanuel,  and  by  the  potency  of  thy  intercession,  drive 
far  away  from  him  the  infirmity  by  which  he  is 
oppressed,  in  order  that  he  may  longer  rule  the  People 
of  Etruria  committed  to  his  care,  and  happily  provide, 
by  means  of  his  government,  the  things  of  which 
they  may  be  in  want.  Through  Him  whom,  without 
hurt  to  thy  Virginity,  thou  didst  concieve,  and  didst 
bear,  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  thy  Son,  who  glorifies 
Thee  for  ever  and  ever ; Amen  ! ’ Mann  records,  to 
the  credit  of  Richecourt’s  modesty,  that,  as  far  as  was 
in  his  power,  the  Count  called  in  and  suppressed  all 
these  bills.  Walpole,  who  really  loved  the  jocose 
Pope,  Benedict,  despised  Bichecourt;  but  he  was 
sincerely  sorry  for  the  dreadful  catastrophe  in  the 
Count’s  family.  ‘What  a lesson  for  human  grandeur  ! 
Florence,  the  scene  of  all  his  triumphs  and  haughtiness, 
is  now  the  theatre  of  his  misery  and  misfortunes.’ 

On  the  25th  of  March,  Sir  Horace  alluded  to  the 
misery  and  misfortune  of  Admiral  Byng,  but  he  looked 
on  the  sentence  of  ‘Death’  as  ‘an  act  of  vigorous  justice.’ 
Without  implying  Voltaire’s  phrase  that  the  Admiral 
was  shot  ‘pour  encourager  les  autres,’  Mann  hoped 
that  it  ivould  give  courage  to  others.  He  had  seen 
much  of  our  ‘ Sea  Captains  ’ during  his  official  resi- 
dence at  Florence,  and  he  says : — ‘ Let  us  hope  that 
the  sentence  may  produce  for  the  future  some  reforma- 
tion in  the  conduct  of  our  Sea  Officers,  which  was  so 
publickly  criticized  in  the  last  war.  I wish  we  could 


1757. 


NAVAL  AFFAIRS. 


403 


see  a Fleet  in  these  parts,  now.  Something  must  he 
done  to  recover  our  maritime  reputation.  The  sea 
swarms  with  French  Privateers,  who  daily  take  all  the 
merchant  ships  that  venture  out.  I have  dissuaded 
the  people  at  Leghorn  from  sending  many  ships  away 
that  are  laden  for  above  a Million  sterling,  which,  we 
know,  the  French  have  stationed  several  Privateers 
and  Ships  of  War,  to  wait  for.  They  have  advice 
boats  continually  going  backwards  and  forwards,  and 
others  are  at  anchor  at  Porto  (illegible)  to  be  ready  to 
follow  Captain  Wright  and  his  prizes  that  had  taken 
refuge  at  Poto  Ferrajo,  from  whence,  if  they  can 
escape,  we  daily  expect  them  at  Leghorn.  A plan  has 
been  agreed  upon  to  indemnify  the  Captains  of  the 
Merchant  Ships  who  are  ruined  by  laying  at  a vast 
expense,  in  port,  by  making  a small  average  on  the 
goods  they  have  on  board,  otherwise  they  would  have 
ventured  out  at  all  hazards  . . . 

‘ . . . Your  old  friend,  the  Pope,  still  holds  out. 
He  triumphed  lately  on  the  death  of  Cardinal  Londi(?) 
who  was  looked  upon  as  the  most  likely  to  succeed 
him : So ! Benedict  the  Fifteenth  has  died  before 
Benedict  the  Fourteenth  ! ’ 

April  Znd. — ‘ A vulgar  report  has  prevailed  here 
for  a day  or  two,  that  Admiral  Byng  had  made  his 
escape  to  Holland.  You  can’t  imagine  how  this 
affair  employs  people  here.  It  is  an  effect  of  their 
want  of  occupation  and  of  the  inaction  in  other  parts. 
The  least  event  in  Germany  will  take  off  all  their 
attention  from  what  concerns  them  so  little.’ 

Our  court  at  home,  however,  took  up  all  the 
attention  of  Florence  for  a time.  April  23rd. — ‘Since 


404 


EXIT  RICHE  COURT. 


1757. 


Nature  did  not  compleat  the  work  she  had  begun,  an 
Event  equivalent  to  it  has  happened  that  has  given 
grea/t  satisfaction  to  the  Florentines,  who,  however, 
have  shown  more  good  nature,  or  at  least  humanity, 
than  I thought  they  were  capable  of.  Count  Riche- 
court,  before  whom  all  had  trembled  for  so  many 
years,  set  out,  trembling,  and  even  fainting,  a few 
days  ago,  on  his  journey  to  Lorraine.  Nothing  was 
ever  more  visible  than  his  apprehensions  of  some 
insults  from  the  common  people.  Great  pains  were 
taken  to  conceal  the  exact  time  of  his  departure,  and 
even  to  the  few  who  were  admitted  familiarly  to 
him  every  evening,  he  said  : “ A vous  revoir  demain 
au  soir  ! ” Nobody,  however  was  the  Dupe.  The 
whole  town  knew  he  was  to  set  out,  but  nobody 
thought  it  necessary  to  feign  an  attention.  He  was 
literally  packed  up  in  his  litter,  in  his  bedchamber, 
which  vehicle  is  so  contrived  as  to  be  detatched  from 
the  (' illegible ) to  serve  even  as  a bed,  and  be  trans- 
portable anywhere.  In  this  manner,  he  was  brought 
down  stairs  by  porters,  and  put  on  the  backs  of  the 
Mules,  which  marched  off  with  him,  without  any 
attendance,  except  one  servant  at  a distance.  His  son- 
in-law  and  a few  servants  followed,  after ; and  even  a 
dozen  or  two  of  beggars  regretted  the  time  they  had 
lost  in  waiting  for  him. 

‘ What  an  Exit ! How  different  from  his  depar- 
ture to  Vienna  two  years  ago,  when  his  court-yard  was 
filled  with  Noblesse,  and  the  streets  with  people  to 
wish  him  a good  journey. 

‘ He  was  extremely  apprehensive  of  being  insulted 
by  the  common  people.  Nothing  was  said  within  his 


1757. 


GIN  OBI. 


405 


hearing  ; but  now,  nothing,  however  severe  and  con- 
temptable,  is  omitted,  by  all  sorts,  behind  his  back  ! 
A good  thing  was  said,  some  time  ago,  on  his  first 
being  carried  out,  after  his  Apoplexy,  to  take  the  air. 
“ Oh,  povero  Signore  ! e il  padre  dei  poveri ! ” — 
“ E vero,”  replied  another,  “ne  ha  fatto  tanti ! ” 

£ The  Florentines  have  been  extremely  disappointed 
in  their  hopes  of  having  a Tuscan  at  the  head  of  this 
Government.  The  great  antagonist  of  the  Count, 
Ginori,  was  certainly  to  have  succeeded  him  ; the  day 
was  fixed  for  his  coming  here,  but  a cruel  stroke  of  an 
Apoplexy  crushed  all  these  hopes.  He  died  on  the 
17th  of  this  month,  in  the  height  of  popular  favour, 
which  he  really  owed  more  to  his  opposition  to  the 
Count  than  to  any  extraordinary  merit,  though  if  half 
what  is  said  in  the  enclosed  paper  was  true,  you  would 
think  that  not  only  the  Tuscans,  but  that  mankind  in 
general  had  had  a great  loss.  His  death  revived  the 
Count  (Richecourt’s)  spirits  much,  and  the  last  act  of 
his  authority  was  to  forbid  a magnificent  funeral  that 
was  disposing  for  him  at  Leghorn.  You  must  not 
wonder  I say  so  much  about  these  two  people  ; we 
talk  of  nothing  else  here.’ 

The  printed  paper  which  Mann  enclosed  in  his 
letter  of  the  23rd,  and  which  is  a copy  of  a monu- 
mental inscription  that  was  circulated  in  Florence, 
contains  a pompous  account  in  Latin,  of  all  Count 
Ginori’s  earthly  greatness,  which  was  supposed  to  have 
commenced  from  the  day  of  his  birth,  in  1702.  It 
tells  how  Ginori  served  the  Medici,  till  the  race  was 
extinct,  and  how  he  transferred  his  services  to  the 
house  of  Lorraine,  which,  in  the  person  of  Francis, 


406 


A SICK  POPE. 


1757. 


succeeded  to  the  Great  Dukedom  of  Tuscany  ; and 
in  what  ample  measure  both  houses,  with  the  Queen 
of  Hungary  and  Bohemia,  had  rewarded  his  bravery 
as  a soldier,  and  his  wisdom  as  an  administrator.  It 
records  what  he  did  for  arts,  science,  and  commerce, 
and  claims  for  him  a never-dying  fame  throughout  the 
whole  world ! After  stating  that  Ginori  died  in  his 
56th  year,  the  inscription  ends  thus : ‘ Elizabeth,  his 
wife,  daughter  of  Bartholomew,  Prince  Corsini,  great 
grand-daughter  of  Pope  Clement  XII. ; the  Cavaliere 
Lorenzo,  his  son,  and  Francis  Marie,  Bishop  of  Fiesole, 
his  brother,  have  with  tears  and  trembling  raised  this 
monument.  Oh  ! children,  oh  ! country,  when  will 
you  ever  find  his  like  again  ? ’ 

A greater  than  Ginori  lived  on  to  the  disgust  of 
impatient  Cardinals  who  would  have  him  begone. 

£ Your  old  friend  the  Pope  has  again  been  in  the  utmost 
danger ; he  received  no  nourishment  for  some  time, 
was  speechless,  and  had  again  received  the  • extreme 
unction,  so  that  the  people  about  him  thought  it  high 
time  to  strip  his  room  ; but  a favourite  crisis  happened 
when  least  expected,  that  made  the  want  of  clean 
sheets  and  other  necessaries  which  they  had  carried 
off,  very  inconvenient.  At  the  departure  of  the 
letters,  he  was  better  than  before  this  last  attack. 
However,  the  dispositions  for  building  a Conclave  are 
publickly  continued.  The  Cardinals  now  begin  to 
dread  the  danger  of  being  shut  up  during  the 
heats,  though  they  would  willingly  have  spent  the 
Carnival  there.’ 

April  3 Otli. — ‘ Our  situation  here  is  not  altered, 
except  that  one  of  our  two  members  of  the  Regency 


1757. 


NEGLECTED  TUSCANY. 


407 


is  become  incapable  of  the  business.  Sometime  ago, 
he  wrote  Torrequinei,  without  any  vowels.  We  are 
now  under  the  sole  government  of  the  Chevalier 
Antinori,  which  is  the  strongest  proof  that  II  mondo 
va  da  se.  We  not  only  expect  orders,  but  even  people 
to  execute  them,  from  Vienna.  The  paper  which  I 
sent  you’  (the  prayer  for  Riehecourt’s  recovery)  ‘has 
been  suppressed,  and  a second  impression,  after  1000 
had  been  distributed,  prohibited  ; but  the  Sbirri,  who 
go  about  the  streets  to  whip  the  children,  for  singing 
Gesu  e morto ! Pilato  e partito,  cannot  silence  them. 
Pilate  has  wrote  many  letters,  containing  many  lies 
under  his  own  hand,  asserting  that  he  grows  better 
every  day,  on  the  journey  ; but  the  truth  is,  that 
the  people  about  him  are  fearful  that  he  won’t  be 
able  to  get  to  the  end  of  his  journey.’ 

May  lith. — ‘ We  are  still  left  to  govern  ourselves. 
We  are  all  mildness  and  submission  to  our  very  insuffi- 
cient Member  of  the  Regency  ; we  must  conclude,  as 
really  everything  is  at  a stand  here,  that  either  the 
Emperor  is  much  embarrassed,  or  has  something  of 
more  importance  to  think  of.  They  say  that  the  King 
of  Prussia  gives  him  full  occupation,  as  well  as  to  the 
Queen’s  army.  If  the  accounts  which  have  escaped 
from  Vienna  be  true,  he  will  stop  perhaps  the  pub- 
lication of  the  Ban  of  the  Empire,  and  gain  over 
perhaps  some  of  the  votes  at  Ratisbonne,  where  he 
has  hitherto  been  treated  with  the  utmost  contempt. 
It  is  some  time  since  Mr.  Mitchell  wrote  that  the 
King  of  Prussia  was  in  high  health  and  spirits,  and 
not  at  all  embarrassed  by  his  numerous  enemies.  If 
the  Austrians  don’t  defend  themselves  better,  France 


408 


PICTURE-BUYING. 


1757. 


must  send  at  least  another  hundred  thousand  men 
into  Germany,  to  do  their  business.’ 

Among  the  many  commissions  which  Mann  was 
called  on  to  execute  for  men  of  rank  and  wealth  in 
England,  was  the  delicate  one  of  purchasing  pictures 
for  them.  These  were  generally  ‘copies.’  Of  such 
ware,  he  bought  an  assortment  for  the  Earl  of 
Northumberland’s  great  gallery,  in  his  house  in  the 
Strand.  The  Earl  was  ‘ most  perfectly  satisfied  ’ with 
them.  To  Horace  Walpole,  Mann  wrote  : ‘ I recollect 
that  you  never  approved  of  that  scheme  ; but  I trust 
that  you  will  go  to  see  them,  and  then  that  you  will 
be  a convert  to  them,  when  you  reflect  that  the  origi- 
nals are  so  near  a total  decay.’  Walpole  went  to 
Northumberland  House,  saw  the  much-talked  of  Italian 
pictures,  and  thought  little  of  them. 

June  4 tli. — ‘ I am  disappointed  by  your  opinion  of 
Lord  Northumberland’s  pictures.  You  know  I never 
saw  them,  and  only  could  chuse  what  was  of  a size  for 
the  place,  and  of  painters  that  were  in  the  greatest 
repute.  I can’t  conceive  how  so  many  could  give  me 
such  CEncomiums  of  them.  My  Lord  too  is  highly 
satisfied  with  them.  I wish  you  could  like  them. 
Pray,  go  to  see  them  by  daylight.’ 

The  Italian  climate  was  in  no  respect  less  rigorous 
in  its  summer  weather  than  England.  ‘ Here  we  are 
in  June,’  says  Mann,  ‘wearing  our  winter  cloaths.’ 
London  was  even  as  Florence  was.  ‘ I certainly  am 
glad  of  rain,’  Walpole  writes  from  Arlington  Street, 
June  2nd,  ‘ but  could  wish  it  was  boiled  a little  over 
the  sun  first.  Mr.  Bentley  calls  this  the  hard  summer, 
and  says  he  is  forced  to  buy  his  fine  weather  at  ' 
Newcastle  ! ’ 


1757. 


PRUSSIA  AND  AUSTRIA. 


409 


The  Seven  Years  War  (1756-1763)  maintained  by 
Frederick  II.  of  Prussia  against  Austria,  Russia,  and 
France,  was  now  exciting  much  angry  remark  in  the 
Duchy  of  Tuscany.  Reflecting  on  these  comments, 
Mann  writes  : £ What  say  you  to  the  surprising  success 
of  the  King  of  Prussia  ? We  daily  expect  to  hear 
that  he  lias  taken  Prague,  and  the  inhabitants  of 
Vienna  expect  him  under  their  walls.  The  conster- 
nation is  almost  as  great  there  as  if  he  was  half 
way.  All  their  Ministers  at  court  disagree,  as  much 
as  their  Generals  at  the  Army,  and  the  King  of 
Prussia,  notwithstanding  the  loss  he  has  had,  of 
Schwerin,  knows  how  to  profit  of  the  incapacity 
of  both.  By  the  late  accounts  he  had  received  his 
great  artillery,  and  whilst  part  of  his  army  was  to 
batter  the  town  ’ (Prague),  c a considerable  body  had 
been  detached  to  attack  Marshal  Daun,  who  was 
retired  into  Moravia,  and,  they  say,  has  had  dis- 
cretional orders  to  cover  Austria  as  well  as  he  can  ; 
and  for  which  purpose,  they  suspend  his  process  for 
not  having  joyned  Brown  on  the  day  of  action.  He 
excuses  himself  by  the  orders  he  had  from  Neiberg  and 
the  Council  of  War  at  Vienna ; and  they  lay  the  fault 
much  higher.  The  French  troops  will  have  little 
courage  or  inducement  to  go  to  remedy  des  affaires 
si  delabrees.’ 

1 1 trust  that  the  Duke  ’ (of  Cumberland)  ‘ will  be 
able  to  do  something  as  great  on  his  side,  that  they 
may  be  fully  convinced  again  that  the  title  of  Gerant 
de  la  Paix  de  Westphalie  (though  it  would  puzzle 
them  to  extend  that  to  justify  their  attacking  Han- 
over) is  a troublesome  obligation  which  they  had 


410 


DIFFICULTIES. 


1757. 


better  renounce.  A great  Lady  here,  however,  is  very 
angry  that  a Prince  of  England  should  go  abroad  to 
command  a foreign  army.  I just  stopt  her,  to  say, 
that  he  was  also  a Prince  of  Hanover ; but  she  went 
on  by  saying  that  it  was  as  unnatural  a step  as  an 
Arch-Duke’s  being  sent  into  Italy  to  defend  St. 
Marino  or  the  Republick  of  Lucca.  I asked  her,  if 
she  did  not  mean  Tuscany,  but  she  finished  her 
political  remarks  with  great  applause, — till  her  au- 
ditors were  at  liberty  to  laugh  at  her.’ 

June  18 th. — ‘In  the  midst  of  all  this’  (the progress 
made  by  the  King  of  Prussia)  ‘and  the  declared  enmity 
between  the  ministers  at  Vienna,  you  will  not  wonder 
that  they  do  not  think  of  Tuscany.  They  even  forget 
that  there  are  very  large  sums  of  money  accumulated 
here,  none  having  been  called  for  for  a long  while, 
though  the  Empress  is  seeking  money  every  where  and 
at  any  interest. 

‘Your  friend,  the  Pope,  is  so  well  recovered  that 
he  gave  the  publick  benediction  from  the  balcony  of 
his  palace  on  Easter  Day.’ 

July  2nd. — ‘Your  old  friend,  the  Pope,  is  relapsed. 
The  Cardinals  now  pray  that  he  may  hold  out  till  the 
Autumn.  It  is  said  that  Baron  Toussaint  will  be  sent 
here  to  look  into  affairs,  for  a month  or  two,  before  M. 
Botta  is  put  at  the  head  of  the  Regency.  All  the 
private  letters  from  Vienna  say  this.  None  of  any 
other  kind  are  sent  from  thence.  Our  Regents,  two 
only,  one  of  whom  (the  Chevalier  Antinori)  is  quite 
a child  by  age,  are  totally  neglected  there ; though,  I 
dare  say,  they  look  upon  it  as  a compliment,  and  that 
it  is  supposed  they  can  govern  without  any  aid  or 


1757. 


TE  DEEM! 


411 


instructions.  I wish  our  folks  would  let  people  go 
on  as  quietly,  they  then  might  have  leisure  to  attend 
to  our  affairs  abroad.’ 

And  now  Florence  was  flying  her  flags,  lighting 
her  festal  lamps,  kindling  her  fires,  and  discharging 
congratulatory  salvoes  of  artillery, — on  occasion  of  the 
King  of  Prussia  being  compelled,  by  Prince  Charles  of 
Lorraine,  to  raise  the  siege  of  Prague. 

J tdy  9th. — * Couriers  flew  with  such  dilligence  into 
all  parts,  with  Prince  Charles’s  laurels  that  they  left 
the  common  posts  with  the  ordinary  occurrences  vastly 
behind.  Florence  was  forced  to  rejoice  on  that  occa- 
sion. The  Emperor  sent  orders  to  the  Regency  of 
two  members,  the  first  of  any  kind  that  he  has  sent 
since  Count  Richecourt’s  departure  in  April,  to  cause 
a Te  Deum  to  be  sung  in  all  the  principal  cities  in 
Tuscany,  and  they  are,  besides  this  capital,  where  the 
farce  was  performed  the  day  before  yesterday,  Leg- 
horn, Sienna  and  Pistoja.  If  it  was  both  unnecessary 
and  indiscreet  too,  as  most  people  are  of  opinion,  to 
declare  by  that  means  Tuscany  is  concerned  in  the 
present  war  in  Germany  ...  it  must  be  doubly  so  to 
perform  that  ceremony  at  Leghorn,  a free  port  and  a 
common  trading  town,  where  a Consul  from  the  King 
of  Prussia  actually  resides,  with  his  Master’s  Arms 
over  his  door,  on  the  Great  Place.  This,  even  the 
Regency  disapproves  of,  but  dare  not  venture  to  dis- 
pense with  the  execution  of  the  orders,  tho’  they  are 
persuaded  that  their  Master  did  not  think  at  the  time 
he  gave  them. 

* One  of  the  Regency  came,  as  if  by  accident,  to 
sound  me,  and  I let  myself  be  sounded,  but  I only 


412 


WALPOLE,  ON  THE  POPE. 


1757. 


encreased  his  embarras,  by  starting  new  difficulties 
“ Well,  but  what  would  you  advise  ? If  anybody 
would  make  a representation,  that  would  justify,  at 
least,  our  suspending  it  for  Leghorn.”  But  I replyed, 
that  I knew  nobody  in  a condition  to  do  the  latter, 
and  that  I never  advised  in  things  that  were  totally 
indifferent  to  me.’ 

Leaving  politics  and  municipal  arrangements, 
Mann,  replying  to  a letter  from  Walpole,  dated  from 
Strawberry  Hill,  June  20th,  1757,  says,  CI  admire  your 
inscription  on  the  Pope’s  picture.’  This  referred  to  an 
inscription  which  Walpole  had  written,  and  placed 
behind  a bas-relief  portrait  in  wax  of  Benedict,  which 
hung  in  the  gallery.  It  is  as  follows  : ‘ Prospero  Lam- 
bertini,  Bishop  of  Rome,  by  the  name  of  Benedict 
XIV.,  who,  though  an  absolute  Prince,  reigned  as 
harmlessly  as  a Doge  of  Venice.  He  restored  the 
lustre  of  the  Tiara,  by  those  arts  alone,  by  which  alone, 
he  attained  it, — his  virtues.  Beloved  by  Papists, 
esteemed  by  Protestants  ; a Priest  without  insolence  or 
interest ; a Prince  without  favourites  ; a Pope  without 
Nepotism;  an  Author  without  vanity;  in  short,  a 
Man  whom  neither  Wit  nor  Power  could  spoil.  The 
Son  of  a favourite  Minister,  but  One  who  never 
courted  a Prince,  nor  worshipped  a Churchman,  offers, 
in  a free  Protestant  country,  this  deserved  incense  to 
the  best  of  the  Roman  Pontiffs.”  Walpole  thought  so 
well  of  the  incense  as  to  have  no  doubt  that  the  Pope 
would  like  to  smell  it.  ‘ If,’  he  says, — ‘if  the  good  old 
soul  is  still  alive,  and  you  could  do  it  unaffectedly 
and  easily,  you  may  convey  it  to  him.  It  must  be  a 
satisfaction  to  a good  heart  to  know  that  in  so  distant 


1757. 


THE  POPE,  ON  WALPOLE. 


413 


a country,  so  detached  from  his,  his  merit  is  acknow- 
ledged without  a possibility  of  interest  entering  into 
the  consideration.  His  death-bed  does  not  want  comfort 
or  cheerfulness,  but  it  may  be  capable  of  an  expansion 
of  heart  that  may  still  sweeten  it.’  To  this, — inscrip- 
tion, sentiment,  and  figure  of  speech, — Sir  Horace  re- 
plies: ‘I  admire  your  Inscription  on  the  Pope’s  picture. 
He  is  better  and  I hope  will  see  it.  The  method  I have 
made  use  of,  I think,  will  succeed.  I made  Niccolini 
in  love  with  it,  and  eager  to  have  a copy,  which  I gave 
him.  If  this  should  fail,  I’ll  try  some  other.’ 

On  the  23rd  August,  he  continues  : ‘The  method  I 
took  to  convey  your  elegant  Inscription  on  the  Pope’s 
picture  succeeded  beyond  my  expectation.  It  was 
sent  in  confidence  by  Archiuto,  with  the  translation  on 
the  same  paper,  and  was  immediately  communicated 
to  the  Pope,  who  was  so  well  pleased  with  it  that  he 
made  everybody  read  it  who  went  to  him.  Innumer- 
able copies  have  been  dispersed,  and  to  shew  you 
how  much  people  are  convinced  of  the  truth  of  the 
(Encomium,  his  Enemies  have  made  a counter  one  to 
damage  the  great  effect  it  had  produced  in  his  favour. 
The  good  old  man  is  so  much  recovered  that  he  is 
carried  out  every  day,  in  a chair,  to  take  the  air.’ 

Benedict  XIV.  was  well  enough  to  criticize 
Walpole’s  panegyric, — which  he  did,  in  the  following 
terms,  in  a letter  to  a friend  at  Bologna, — from  which 
Mann  makes  the  following  extract : it  is  ‘ abroad  ’ in 
its  contemporary  history  : — 

‘ The  Volpole  is  the  chief  of  the  present  Adminis- 
tration in  the  English  Court.  He  has  a son  who  has 
composed  the  fair  (onesto)  but  undeserved  eulogy  on 


414 


MANN,  CRITICAL. 


1757. 


ourself.  This  eulogy  has  been  translated  into  our 
Italian  language,  by  the  famous  Niccolini  of  Florence. 
We  send  the  whole  to  our  dear  Canonico  Poggi,  in 
order  that  he  may  know  how  very  like  we  are  to  the 
front  of  the  statues  (sic)  of  St.  Peter  in  the  Vatican. 
To  those  who  are  at  a distance  from  them,  they  look 
very  fine  indeed,  but  to  those  who  are  near,  they 
appear  horribly  ugly.  May  the  good  Canonico  pre- 
serve his  love  for  us  from  whom  comes,  herewith,  our 
Apostolic  Benediction.’ 

Mann  was  not  at  all  satisfied  with  the  translation 
of  Walpole’s  Inscription,  though  it  was  the  work  of 
‘ the  famous  Niccolini ;’  and  he  made  a second  which  he 
circulated  all  over  Italy.  He  points  out  very  sensibly 
where  the  difficulties  lay. 

August  27th. — c It  is  not  near  so  good  as  in  English, 
but  it  was  impossible  to  stick  nearer  to  the  original. 
One  could  not  well  say,  for  “ A Priest  without  inso- 
lence,” Prete  senza  insolenza.  It  is  a Cacophony  that 
was  better  avoided.’  (He  rendered  the  English  thus, 
Prete  non  insolente.)  1 I wish,  however,  I had  said, 
senza  superhia,  or  alterigia,  which  is  pretty  near  what 
you  mean,  and  less  harsh  to  Catholick  or  devout  ears  ; 
— and  then,  the  want  of  a word  in  Italian  for  wit, — 
which  is  so  peculiarly  the  Pope’s  character, — weakens 
the  whole  idea ; sometimes  it  is  ingegno,  or  rather, 
vivacitd  cV  ingegno,  but  neither  exactly  answers  to 
“ wit.”  ’ (For,  £ A Man  whom  neither  Wit  nor  Power 
could  spoil,’  Sir  Horace  said,  in  Italian,  Un  uomo  cui 
ne  lo  Spirito  ne  la  Potenza  poterono  guastare.) 
‘ Niccolini  had  made  use  of  corteggid  for  “ courted,” 
but  corteggicire  is  a duty  and  not  a crime.’  (In 


1757. 


PAPAL  IGNORANCE. 


415 


Mann’s  version,  the  line  was  thus  happily  rendered  : 
che  pero  non  aduld  mai  ctlcun  Principe.)  ‘ Weak, 
however,  as  the  translation  is  in  comparison  of  the 
original,  it  has  pleased  extremely.  The  Pope,  you  see, 
was  proud  of  it,  and  Cardinal  Passionei  reproves 
Niccolini  for  not  having  given  him  the  preference  to 
convey  it  to  the  Pope,  instead  of  Cardinal  Archiuto, 
and  adds  an  invitation  to  him  to  go  to  Eome  in  the 
Autumn,  when  the  world  would  certainly  find  the 
Pope  alive,  for  Volpole’s  Eulogy  has  given  him  fresh 
life  and  vigour.’ 

‘ You  will  be  surprised,  perhaps,  at  the  Pope’s 
ignorance  about  our  Court.  Niccolini  would  have 
had  me  correct  the  old  man’s  mistake,  but  I insisted 
on  sending  you  the  letter  as  it  was.  Cardinal  Passio- 
nei is  to  set  him  right,  and  perhaps  Cardinal  Albani, 
who  .may  be  angry  with  me  for  making  use  of  any 
other  channel  than  his,  may  convey  to  the  Pope  the 
translation  which  I have  since  sent  to  Albani,  with 
some  trifling  excuse  for  not  having  done  it  sooner  ; 
though  that,  I thought,  would  have  been  too  direct  a 
method,  at  first.  Your  commission  was  to  convey 
it  easily  and  unaffectedly,  which  was  literally  executed.’ 

Mann’s  interest  in  the  Opera  was  now  somewhat 
revived  ; by  way  of  P.S.  to  the  letter  from  which  the 
above  is  taken,  he  writes: — ‘We  have  a most  excellent 
Opera  here,  which  was  opened  last  Sunday,  the  day 
that  the  news  of  a new  Ministry  came.  Its  title  is 
La  Disfatta  di  Dario  (The  Defeat  of  Darius)  ; but 
everybody  calls  it  La  Disfatta  dei  Lorranesi.  Man- 
zoli  is  our  first  man,  and  the  best  singer  at  present  in 
Italy.  I am  just  going  to  its  second  representation.’ 


416 


BEFORE  TEE  OPERA  CURTAIN. 


1757. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

1757. 

The  Opera,  for  a long  time,  was  the  last  place,  in  Italy, 
at  which  music,  vocal  or  instrumental,  could  be  heard. 
Those  persons  who  subscribed  for  their  boxes  for  the 
season,  received  therein  any  of  their  friends  who  chose 
to  call  upon  them.  Those  visitors  went  to  the  boxes 
where  their  friends  were  lodged  for  the  evening,  with- 
out challenge  from  money  or  cheque  taker.  There  was 
a continual  knocking  at,  and  noisily  opening  and  shut- 
ting of  doors.  From  the  boxes  came  the  loud  voices  of 
noisy  and  idle  talkers,  with  bursts  of  laughter  that 
overwhelmed  the  orchestra  itself.  No  one  regarded 
the  stage  or  the  singers.  There  was  a continual  going 
to  and  fro,  and  visits  exchanged  from  box  to  box,  and 
messages  sent  and  answered,  viva  voce,  across  the 
house.  In  many  of  the  boxes,  the  occupants  filled  up 
part  of  their  time  with  sitting  down  to  a hot  supper, 
(the  fumes  from  which  spread  into  the  house),  with 
wine,  the  effect  of  which  was  but  to  increase  the  noise 
and  make  the  confusion  worse  confounded.  If  a poor 
dilettante  in  the  pit  humbly  begged  for  a little  silence, 
the  chances  were  that  he  would  have  his  head  broken 
by  something  flung  at  him  from  the  revelling  guests. 


1757. 


MANZOLI. 


417 


This  aristocratic  rudeness  survived  in  France  long 
after  its  extinction  in  Florence  the  beautiful.  The 
Comte  d’Hezecques,  in  his  ‘ Memoirs  of  a Page,  at 
the  Court  of  Louis  XVI./  relates  an  instance  which  is 
much  to  the  point.  At  the  public  theatre  in  V ersailles, 
the  royal  Pages  arrogantly  ruled  actors  and  audiences 
from  the  boxes.  One  day,  when  one  of  these  impu- 
dent young  gentlemen  was  drinking  a hot  milk  posset 
at  the  front  of  the  box,  a Pit-ite,  ashamed  at  a fashion 
in  France  which,  for  a score  of  years,  had  been  thought 
too  bad  to  be  tolerated  in  Italy,  cried  d has ! on  such 
a fashion  ! Thereupon,  the  Page  of  quality  started  to 
his  feet  and  emptied  the  hot  contents  of  his  jug  on  the 
heads  of  the  citizens  below,  who  scrambled  out  of  the 
way  of  the  avalanche,  with  much  precipitation  and  no 
chance  of  redress.  Scenes  somewhat  similar  had  once 
been  common  in  Florence.  A growing  good  taste, 
however,  had  grown  up,  and  instead  of  the  noisy  hot 
suppers  which  added  many  a paroxysm  to  Mann’s 
chronic  headaches,  there  was  a distribution  of  light 
refreshments,  beginning  with  ices,  and  continuing  to 
the  end  with  sweetmeats. 

Manzoli,  moreover,  was  a proud  artist  who  would 
insist  on  respect  for  his  art.  In  the  year  1757,  he  was 
at  his  best;  and  the  Florentines  were  unwilling  to  lose, 
by  their  indifference,  the  foremost  vocalist  in  Italy ; — 
the  singer,  whom  Farinelli  took  with  him  to  Madrid, 
where  Manzoli’s  voice  was  valued, — for  the  use  of  it, — 
at  sixteen  thousand  ducats  a year.  The  praise  awarded 
him  by  Sir  Horace  Mann  excited  a strong  desire 
among  the  patrons  of  our  own  Opera,  to  hear  him  in 
England  ; but  Manzoli  did  not  satisfy  that  desire  till 

YOL.  i.  2 E 


418 


OUR  FLEET  AT  LEGHORN. 


1757. 


1764.  Meanwhile  an  event  occurred  at  Florence,  which 
could  not  be  disregarded. 

September  3rd. — ‘ On  Wednesday,  at  ^ past  2 in 
the  morning,  we  had  a very  smart  shock  of  earth- 
quake, which  so  alarmed  the  people,  that  thousands  ran 
into  the  streets,  from  their  beds.  It  was  preceded  by 
a violent  wind,  for  some  hours ; but  neither  did  any 
mischief.  The  Admiral’s  Courier  returned  that  night, 
in  eleven  days,  from  England ; he  felt  nothing  of  the 
shock,  but  he  had  much  difficulty  to  sit  upon  his  horse, 
for  the  wind  ; and  was  frequently  forced  to  stop  or 
turn  his  back  to  it.  As  nobody  has  prophesyed  that  it 
will  return,  so  people  are  not  at  all  alarmed.’ 

Although  the  Grand  Duchy  of  Tuscany  was  neutral, 
while  the  Empire  was  at  war,  it  was  not  without 
difficulty  that  Mann  established  the  right  of  the 
British  Fleet  to  anchor  at  Leghorn  and  procure  there 
everything  of  which  they  might  be  in  need.  Against 
the  coming  of  the  ships,  Sir  Horace  provided  400  oxen, 
1200  sheep,  and  ‘ eA7'erything  that  Admiral  Osborn 
foresaw  he  should  want  at  Leghorn.’  He  and  his 
vessels  were  received  with  all  the  honours  that  Mann 
had  previously  insisted  on  ; and  he  writes  : — ‘ It  is  im- 
possible to  describe  the  joy  that  the  arrival  of  the  fleet 
has  occasioned  both  in  Florence  and  at  Leghorn.  The 
advantage  must  be  great  to  the  country,  and  they 
assure  me  that  the  Emperor  himself  is  vastly  sensible 
of  it.  Leghorn  was  ruined  before  ; no  business  at  all 
done.  Two  or  three  French  Privateers  prevented  any 
ships  going  out.  The  Custom  House  which  commonly 
produces  900,000  scudi  per  annum,  was  reduced  to 
less  than  400,000  ; and  what  would  that  still  be  re- 


1757. 


THE  KING  OF  PRUSSIA. 


419 


cluced  to,  if  that  fleet  which  is  to  recover  everything, 
was  to  be  its  enemy  ? Not  only  interest,  therefore,  but 
fear,  one  would  think,  should  prevent  any  alteration/ 

In  view,  however,  of  the  contingencies  of  war 
affecting  Tuscany,  and  abolishing  its  neutrality,  Mann 
began  to  consider  his  own  interests.  He  manifested 
his  liking  for  his  post  by  his  desire  to  retain  it.  ‘ I can- 
not judge  whether  on  such  occasions,  it  depends  upon 
one’s  own  choice  to  retire  to  any  place,  or  whether 
the  order  be  not  positive  to  return  home.  Could  the 
former  be  obtained  and  my  appointment  continued, 
I should  most  undoubtedly  prefer  it,  and  with  any 
degree  of  favour,  one  might  hope  it  would  be  granted 
upon  the  probability  of  the  suspension  not  lasting  long, 
and  the  reflection  that  upon  the  sending  any  Minister 
again,  the  allowance  for  journey  and  equipage  is  a 
considerable  article.’ 

The  King  of  Prussia’s  alternative  at  Prague  is 
almost  epigrammatically  described.  ‘ Delay  to  him 
was  worse  than  a battle  lost ; and  if  Prague  had  been 
relieved  by  Daun’s  army,  which  was  daily  increasing, 
it  must  have  been  attended  with  the  King’s  total  ruin. 
He,  therefore,  had  only  this  alternative, — to  retire 
from  Prague  without  striking  a blow,  or  make  himself 
master  of  it  by  beating  an  army  almost  inaccessibly 
placed.  His  own  inclination  and  the  reputation  of 
his  arms  urged  him  to  that  desperate  effort  in  which, 
says  one  of  his  enemies,  “ il  auroit  ete  victorieux,  s’il 
n’avoit  pas  tente  l’impossible  ! ” ’ 

Mann,  having  provided  for  the  English  fleet,  went 
over  to  Leghorn  to  look  at  it.  ‘ I stayed  a fortnight. 
The  manner  of  life  was  so  new  to  me ; for  I had  seen 


420 


SPECULATION. 


1757. 


nothing  like  it  since  the  year  ’44,  that  I was  not  dis- 
pleased with  it ; and,  I flatter  myself  that  my  going 
there  was  not  totally  useless.  Many  private  people 
received  small  advantages  from  it,  in  relation  to  their 
effects  that  I got  released  from  the  Captors  ; and  this 
Government  attributes  to  me  the  merit  of  everything 
having  passed  with  the  utmost  reciprocal  satisfaction, 
in  regard  to  the  reception  of  the  fleet,  and  to  the 
tranquility  of  its  inhabitants  during  its  stay  there  ; 
but  I am  far  better  pleased  with  the  influence  that 
I obtained  over  its  leader,  and  the  hopes  that  my 
solicitations,  which  induced  him  to  send  a Courier 
to  England,  may  produce  something  better  than — 
nothing  at  all.’ 

‘ Me  cannot  indeed  strike  any  great  blow,  but  it 
was  not  such  that  induced  France,  last  war,  to  listen  to 
a peace.  It  was  the  ruin  of  their  trade,  which  pro- 
duced such  intrinsick  misery,  and,  as  low  as  we  are 
fallen,  we  may  still  do  this  with  the  fleet  now  in  the 
Mediterranean  ; at  Marseilles,  at  Toulon,  consequently 
at  Lions  and  all  Provence,  they  are  in  the  utmost 
consternation,  on  account  of  the  interruption  of  their 
trade,  which,  if  continued  for  any  time,  must  produce 
Bankrupcies  (sic)  and  such  extensive  inconveniences 
as  must  be  felt  even  at  Paris.  . . . Except  my  great 
head-aches,  I went  through  my  maritime  visits  and  all 
the  honours  that  attended  them,  without  any  incon- 
venience. Some  might  have  happened  to  others,  for 
from  two  ships  that  saluted,  there  remained  accident- 
ally a ball  in  a cannon  of  each  ! They  were  prizes 
which  came  in  after  the  departure  of  the  fleet,  and 
rejoiced  the  hearts  of  the  Livomians  and  of  the  Govern- 


1757. 


MARQUIS  BOTTA. 


421 


ment  who,  by  experience,  are  convinced  that  the 
welfare  of  the  State  depends  on  the  English  trade. 
This  alone  may  prevent  their  quarreling  with  us.’ 

‘We  were  lodged  at  Mr.  (Consul)  Dicks,  as  was 
the  Admiral,  with  whom,  and  some  Captains,  not  of 
the  Anson  party,  I did  him  much  good,  and  we  hope 
that  he  will  daily  feel  the  effects  of  it,  by  the  prizes 
they  may  send  in  to  him.’ 

Admiral  Osborn  fulfilled  Mann’s  expectations,  and 
he  satisfied  even  Walpole,  who  remarked  to  the  Minis- 
ter at  Florence:  ‘ I rejoice  at  Admiral  Osborn’s  suc- 
cess. I am  not  patriot  enough  to  deny  that  there  are 
Captains  and  Admirals  whose  glories  have  little  charms 
for  me  ; but  Osborn  was  a steady  friend  of  murdered 
Byng.’  Leaving  a heavy  detail  of  German  war  news, 
including  the  failure  of  the  Duke  of  Cumberland,  with- 
the  remark, — ‘the  Austrians  begin  to  have  a great 
dffidence  of  their  new  and  zealous  ally,  but  they 
deserve  the  fate  that  hangs  over  them,  of  being,  at 
least,  the  last  to  be  devoured  ; for  France  will  never 
let  slip  such  an  opportunity  of  weakening  its  antient 
and  natural  rivals,’ — Sir  Horace  turns  to  the  affairs 
of  the  Grand  Duchy. 

‘ The  Emperor  has  made  known  his  intentions  to 
send  Marquis  Botta  to  govern  us.  He  has  added  two 
new  Members  for  the  Regency,  and  named  a Governor 
of  Leghorn, — all  Tuscans.  The  Lorrainers  are  in 
despair,  and  were  literally  on  the  point  of  sending  an 
Irish  Lorrainer  to  Vienna,  to  expostulate  with  the 
Emperor,  in  their  name,  against  this  disposition.  The 
common  people  insult  them.  Tickets  have  been  fixt 
on  the  houses  of  many,  as  to  be  let  in  September. 


422 


THE  NEW  REGENT. 


1757. 


Hitherto,  the  fear  of  Count  Richecourt’s  return,  which 
was  cultivated  with  great  industry,  restrained  them, 
hut  now,  they  load  him  and  his  party  with  all  kinds 
of  abuse.’ 

After  allusions  to  the  irregularity  of  the  posts,  the 
detention  and  the  loss  of  English  letters,  Sir  Horace 
describes  the  people  of  Florence,  September  17th,  as 
follows  : — ‘ The  Florentines  are  as  much  occupied  with 
the  fitting  out  Prince  Craon’s  house  for  Marquis  Botta, 
as  you  can  be  in  England  for  the  Secret  Expedition. 

. . . On  November  12th,  Mann  writes,  ‘Marshal 
Botta  has  been  here  about  ten  days.  They  are  pleased 
with  him.  He  has  always  been  used  to  high  life, 
and  his  rank  gives  him.  a right  to  great  state  ; and 
indeed,  what  he  takes  is  almost  royal.  He  returns  no 
visits,  not  even  those  of  the  other  Regents.  He  gives 
audiences  almost  all  day,  but  permits  few  to  sit  down  ; 
and  dismisses  people,  whom  he  receives  always  in  his 
closet, — nay,  on  St.  Charles’s  day,  he  retired  from  the 
publick  room  full  of  company, — with  a slight  bow. 
He  seems  vastly  well  informed  of  Government,  is  very 
just,  hears  reason,  and  yields  to  it ; and  seems  above 
little  arts  and  tricks  ; is  polite  in  the  high  stile,  and 
gives  up  his  whole  time  to  business.’ 

A week  later,  Mann  corroborates  his  own  testi- 
mony : ‘ People  continue  to  be  pleased  with  their  new 
Governor,  who  gives  audiences,  from  seven  in  the 
morning  till  eight  at  night.  The  Archbishop,  who  is 
to  the  full  as  weak  and  as  simple  as  Archbishops 
ought  to  be,  was  assured  by  him  that  the  disattentions 
and  vexations  which  he  had  received  during  the  late 
Administration  were  quite  at  an  end,  and  that  it  was 


1757. 


A TE  DEUM,  WHISPERED. 


423 


the  Emperor’s  intention  that  all  proper  regard  should 
be  paid  to  the  Church,  which  so  rejoiced  the  pious 
heart  of  that  Prelate,  that  he  made  his  attendants  who 
accompanied  him  in  his  coach,  join  in  whispering  a 
Te  Deum,  as  they  returned  home  ! The  first  time, 
perhaps,  that  any  Te  Deum  was  sung  in  chorus,  sotto 
voce ! ’ 

November  12th. — Walpole  had  alarmed  Mann  by 
his  allusion  to  his  decaying  eyesight,  and  Mann  con- 
sulted one  of  the  most  eminent  medical  practitioners  in 
Florence,  Dr.  Cocchi,  whose  name  is  of  very  frequent 
occurrence  in  these  letters.  ‘ I have  consulted  Dr. 
Cocchi  about  your  eyes,  and  he  approves  of  the 
remedy,  tho’  he  says  that  White  Spirit  of  Lavender 
and  Hungary  Water  are,  in  that  respect,  of  the  same 
nature ; the  former  only  stronger,  and  that  you  must- 
take  care  not  to  bathe  too  near  the  eye.  Monsignor 
Cerati,  a noted  man  here,  was  cured  of  the  same  dis- 
order by  Hungary  Water  only,  and  by  bathing  the 
forehead  and  temples.  Your  disorder,  as  well  as  his, 
proceeded,  it  is  plain,  from  forcing  some  of  the  vessels 
and  their  filling  with  blood  ; and  the  operation  of  the 
cure  is  performed  by  revulsion  ; — but,  he  thinks  you 
do  extremely  wrong  in  reading  so  much  by  candle 
light  (six  hours  at  a time).  Let  me  entreat  you,  my 
dear  Child,  to  follow  his  prescription,  to  read  very 
little  at  night ; even  close  application  by  day  will 
hurt  your  eyes  too  much.’ 

Baron  Stosch,  who  was  an  antiquary  by  taste,  and 
an  Ambassador,  so  far  as  he  was  a sort  of  spy,  by 
occupation, — being  employed  by  the  English  Govern- 
ment to  watch  the  Pretender  and  to  communicate  to 


424 


BARON  STOSCH. 


1757. 


Mann  the  results  of  his  vigilance, — now  passed  away 
from  the  society  of  Rome  and  Florence.  ‘ Baron  Stosch 
is  dead  at  last ; after  a short  illness,  or  rather  weak- 
ness, for  he  did  not  appear  to  suffer  at  all.  About 
ten  days  before,  he  began  to  falter  in  his  speech,  and 
was  more  confused  than  usual,  insomuch  that  he  made 
use  of  one  word  for  another  ; and,  upon  being  asked 
at  supper  what  he  felt,  answered,  je  sens  que  je  suis 
bien  bete  ce  soir  (which  was  really  a satisfactory  proof 
of  his  consciousness).  It  is  supposed  that  he  had  after- 
wards in  the  night  a slight  fit  of  an  apoplexy.  In 
short,  in  a day  or  two,  he  totally  lost  his  speech,  tho’ 
not  quite  his  understanding  ; vras  lethargick,  and  the 
second  day  that  he  was  confined  in  bed,  for  before  he 
would  get  up  and  lay  upon,  a couch,  he  expired,  not 
of  an  apoplexy,  however,  as  was  expected,  but  of  an 
inflammation.  . . . He  had  made  his  will  in  1754,  a 
copy  of  which  he  had  deposited,  sealed,  in  my  hands. 
By  this  he  has  made  his  nephew,  who  quitted  the 
French  service,  or  a German  Regiment,  about  two 
years  ago,  to  come  and  live  with  him,  his  sole  heir. 
His  effects  consist  only  in  his  Collection,  which  is 
very  great  and  worth  a large  sum.  It  is  to  be  offered 
to  the  Emperor.  He  has  appointed  me  and  Abbe 
Buonacorsi  his  Executors  ; and  has  left  him  a picture  ; 
and  me,  a Cameo,  which  I might  have  bought  some 
years  ago  for  six  zecchins.  Everything  is  sealed  up 
as  yet,  till  the  Farmers  are  satisfied.  They  ’ (Farmers 
General  who  gave  a sum  for  the  right  to  collect  and 
keep  the  taxes)  ‘ have  a right  to  7f  per  cent  on  the 
value  or  appraisement  of  the  whole.  . . . Then,  the 
Emperor  is  to  have  an  account  of  the  Collection,  and 


1757. 


MANN’S  AMBITION. 


425 


consequently  the  preference  of  what  part  of  it,  and 
perhaps  at  what  price,  he  pleases.’ 

‘ The  collection  is  very  valuable  in  many  branches, 
and  is  so  well  known  that  there  is  no  doubt  that  it 
will  excite  the  curiosity  of  many  and  great  purchasers. 
So  soon  as  the  present  Stosch  is  at  liberty,  I will 
advise  him  to  send  accounts  of  it  everywhere  ; at 
least,  the  heads  of  it,  for  an  exact  Inventory  would 
take  up  many  months.  . . . The  Cameos  and  In- 
taglios are  very  numerous,  but  the  value  quite  arbi- 
trary. The  Meleager  is  the  only  one  of  the  first 
class.  Lord  Duncannon,  some  years  ago,  gave  old 
Stosch  a hundred  zecchins  for  his  Gladiators.’ 

‘ It  would  be  vastly  clever  if  I could  get  the 
addition  of  old  Stosch’s  appointments  for  the  branch 
of  the  affairs  of  Lome  ; in  which  case,  I could  re- 
linquish what  they  have  allowed  me  some  years  past, 
on  account  of  Secret  Service.  I would  much  rather 
have  this,  if  it  were  permitted  for  me  to  chuse,  than 
what  I believe  nothing  but  common  report  destines 
for  me,  that  is,  to  succeed  Sir  James  Gray,  at  Naples.’ 
This  diplomatic  change  did  not  take  place  ; and 
Mann  was  not  so  ‘ vastly  clever  ’ as  to  obtain  from  Mr. 
Fox,  the  Secretary  of  State,  Stosch’s  ‘ appointments.’ 
How  our  Envoy  at  Florence  went,  in  part,  about  it, 
may  be  seen  in  a letter  of  Walpole’s,  November  20th, 
1757.  ‘Mr.  Fox,’  (Secretary  of  State)  ‘was  going  to 
write  to  you,  but  I took  all  the  compliments  on  myself, 
as  I think  it  is  better  for  you  to  be  on  easy,  than  on 
ceremonious  terms.  To  promote  this,  I have  estab- 
lished a correspondence  between  you  ; he  will  be  glad 
if  you  will  send  him  two  chests  of  Florence  wine, 


426 


RULE  OF  ACTION. 


1757. 


every  year.  The  perpetuity  destroys  all  possibility  of 
your  rnakiug  him  presents  of  it.  I have  compounded 
for  the  vases,  but  he  would  not  hear,  nor  must  you 
think  of  giving  him  the  wine.’  Mann,  who  thus  was 
a sort  of  agent,  sending  wine  to  our  ministers  at 
home,  liqueurs  to  the  peers,  knick-knacks  to  the  ladies, 
pictures,  statues,  and  articles  of  virtu  to  half  the 
nobility  who,  as  the  contemporary  phrase  went,  ‘ had 
the  gout,’  submitted  to  be  instructed  by  Walpole,  as 
to  how  Sir  Horace  might  best  perform  his  diplomatic 
office  in  Florence.  Mann  was  given  to  both  speaking 
and  writing  more  frankly  than  became  his  vocation. 
Walpole  recommended  discretion.  ‘We  plain-dealing 
houses  in  Arlington  Street,’  he  says,  ‘ speak  our  minds 
. . . pray  do  not  you  do  that  . . . about  anything ; 
remember  you  are  an  Envoy,  and  though  you  must 
not  be  so  false  as  an  Ambassador,  yet  not  a grain  of 
truth  is  consistent  with  your  character.  Truth  is  very 
well  for  such  simple  people  as  me  . . . but  I am 
arrantly  wicked  enough  to  desire  you  should  lie  and 
prosper.  I know  you  don’t  like  my  doctrine,  and 
therefore  will  compound  with  you  for  holding  your 
tongue.’  This,  Mann  was  unable  to  do,  at  least  when 
his  sympathies  were  excited  on  behalf  of  such  a friend 
as  Dr.  Cocchi. 

November  19 th. — ‘I  am  extremely  uneasy  about 
my  worthy  friend,  Dr.  Cocchi,  whose  health  I see 
daily  decay.  He  had  so  violent  an  attack  of  an 
Asthma  a few  days  ago,  that  he  alarmed  his  family 
and  friends  very  much  ; and  though  he  is  so  well 
recovered  as  to  be  able  to  lay  down  in  bed,  yet  the 
constant  irregular  motion  of  his  heart  and  pulse 


1757. 


DR.  COGGEI. 


427 


denotes  too  clearly  that  Danger  is  not  very  remote, 
and  that  it  may  be  sudden.  His  only  concern  is  for 
his  family  which,  I fear,  he  will  leave  in  distress. 
His  son  is  very  well  instructed  and,  we  hope,  may 
succeed  to  his  father’s  Employments.  He  has  this 
morning  read  a publick  Lecture  of  anatomy,  for  him, 
and  exerts  the  Employment  of  an  Antiquarian  (sic)  in 
the  Gallery.  The  father  deserves  compassion  in  every 
respect,  being  uneasy  in  his  circumstances.’  Later 
Mann  writes  : ‘ Dr.  Cocchi  was  highly  sensible  of  the 
mark  of  your  friendship  in  the  present,  which  I made 
him  yesterday,  of  Mr.  Gray’s  most  inimitable  Odes, 
but  he  was  not  in  a condition  to  read  them.’  Mann 
then  describes,  with  painful  minuteness,  the  great 
scholar’s  sufferings  from  aggravated  dropsy,  and  his 
inability  to  take  the  smallest  quantity  of  the  simplest 
food  without  acute  agony.  e He  bears  it  all  with 
considerable  cheerfulness,  and  sees  Death  approach 
with  the  utmost  indifference  from  every  other  con- 
sideration but  that  of  leaving  his  family  in  distress  ; 
for,  so  slightly  is  the  greatest  Merit  rewarded  here, 
that  he  has  never  been  able  to  make  any  provision 
for  them,  otherwise  than  by  giving  the  best  Education 
to  his  Son  and  Daughter,  which  gives  hopes  that  the 
son  may  succeed  to  one  at  least  of  the  little  employ- 
ments that  his  father  has.  Nothing  but  his  great 
youth  can  be  an  objection,  for  he  has  parts  and  study 
fit  for  anything.  The  Daughter  has  great  merit,  but 
that,  without  fortune,  avails  but  little.’ 

The  letter  announcing  the  death  of  this  eminent 
philosopher  has  disappeared,  but  Mann  alludes  to  a 
singular  Italian  custom  with  regard  to  Dr.  Cocchi’s 


428 


CHARACTER  OF  DR,  COCCHI. 


1757. 


funeral.  ‘ I send  you  the  Eloge  of  Dr.  Cocchi,  made 
by  a friend  of  his.  It  is  the  custom  of  this  country 
to  put  such  performances,  wrote  on  parchment,  and 
enclosed  in  a tin  case,  into  the  vault  with  the  corpse, 
and  copies  are  dispersed  to  friends.  If  you  have  no 
objection,  pray  send  it  to  Lord  Huntingdon,  whom 
I don’t  think  it  necessary  to  trouble  on  purpose.’ 

So  ended  one  of  the  greatest  of  Italian  physicians 
and  men  of  science,  the  ‘ only  sensible  friend,’  accord- 
ing to  Walpole,  that  Mann  had  in  Florence.  Walpole 
indeed  spoke  of  him  as  f a good  sort  of  man  rather 
than  a great  man,  a plain  honest  creature,  with  quiet 
knowledge.’  Cocchi  was,  in  fact,  a scholar  without 
the  ostentation  of  scholarship,  and,  as  a physician, 
Spence,  in  1741,  found  in  him  the  best  aid  the  place 
could  afford,  which  aid  helped  to  save  Walpole’s  life. 
Cocchi  was  described  by  the  Earl  of  Cork,  as  c a man 
of  most  extensive  learning,  who  understands,  reads, 
and  speaks  all  the  European  languages.’  Then,  re- 
ferring to  Mann  and  Cocchi,  the  Earl  says,  ‘ could  I 
live  with  those  two  gentlemen  only,  and  converse  with 
few  or  none  others,  I should  scarce  desire  to  return  to 
England,  for  many  years.’  So,  if  Mann  had  no  word 
in  his  letters  about  the  Doctor,  Walpole  asked,  * Do 
only  knaves  and  fools  deserve  to  be  spoken  of  ? ’ In 
1745,  his  name  was  so  highly  esteemed  in  England 
that  his  c De  Yitto  .Pythagorico  ’ — a treatise  to  prove 
that  vegetables  only  were  conducive  to  the  preserva- 
tion of  health  and  the  cure  of  disease, — was  translated, 
and  it  met  with  a wide  reception.  The  work  gave 
evidence  of  the  author’s  extensive  knowledge  which, 
pleasant  as  living  in  Florence  might  be,  was  never, 


1757. 


DR.  COGGED S WORKS. 


429 


says  Walpole,  4 at  a lower  ebb  than  there  ; — I had 
forgot.  I beg  Dr.  Cocchi’s  pardon,  who  is  much  an 
exception.’  So  great  an  exception,  even  more  gene- 
rally, that  when  Cocchi  was  preparing  his  4 Chirurgici 
Veteres/  which  is  said  to  be  a very  curious  work,  con- 
taining valuable  extracts  from  the  Greek  Physicians, 
Walpole  expressed  his  extreme  readiness  to  help  him 
in  the  undertaking  : ‘ my  regard  for  him  and  for  you 
would  make  me  take  any  pains.’  Walpole’s  regard 
was  equally  great  for  Cocchi’s  judgment,  for  he  asked 
him  his  opinion  of  Montesquieu  and  Heinault,  and  he 
said  of  the  latter’s  4 Abrege  Chronologique,’  that  it 
‘contained  little  circumstances  that  gave  one  an  idea 
of  the  manners  of  old  time,  like  Dr.  Cocchi’s  treatise  of 
the  old  rate  of  expenses.’  Occasionally,  Walpole  takes 
a bantering  air  with  Cocchi,  and  in  reference  to  the 
Doctor’s  4 Greek  Physicians,’  thanks  God  that  he  had 
little  Greek  and  never  needed  physic.  So  against  the 
Florentine  Medico’s  vegetable  theory,  Walpole  regis- 
ters Lord  Fitz  waiter’s  state,  in  1755 — 4 he  is  past 
eighty-four,  was  an  old  beau,  and  had  scarce  any 
more  sense  than  he  has  at  present ; he  has  lived  many 
months  upon  fourteen  barrels  of  oysters,  four  and 
twenty  bottles  of  port,  and  some,  I think  seven, 
bottles  of  brandy  per  week  ! What  will  Dr.  Cocchi, 
with  his  Vitto  Pithcigorico,  say  to  this  ? ’ Probably, 
that,  at  all  events,  it  was  not  a carnivorous  diet. 

This  scholar,  who  is  better  worth  chronicling  than 
many  of  the  Florentine  Princes,  made  his  mark  in 
Florence,  in  1747,  by  a dissertation  which  caused  its 
Italian  readers  to  shiver  with  disgust,  namely,  a 4 Dis- 
sertation on  the  External  Use  of  Cold  Water  on  the 


430 


TEE  COUNTESS  BEN  A. 


1757. 


Body,  as  practised  by  the  Ancients.’  Cocchi,  a Pisan 
by  birth,  was  a Florentine  by  adoption,  born  in  1695  ; 
he  died  in  January,  1758,  leaving  no  fortune  for  his 
children,  and  taking  with  him  only  his  parchment 
Eulogy,  as  a passport  to  the  next  world.  A few  years 
previously,  the  wealthy  and  capable  Dr.  Mead,  in 
England,  was  a bankrupt.  He  was  Dr.  Cocchi’s  friend, 
when  Lord  Huntingdon  brought  the  Florentine  to 
England.  ‘His  friend,’  says  Walpole,  ‘is  undone; 
his  fine  collection  is  going  to  be  sold;  he  owes  about 
five  and  twenty  thousand  pounds.  All  the  world 
thought  him  immensely  rich  ; but,  besides  the  expense 
of  his  collection,  he  kept  a table  for  which  alone  he  is 
said  to  have  allowed  seventy  pounds  a week  ; ’ — that 
sum  would  have  carried  Dr.  Cocchi’s  table  over  half 
a year. 

Among  the  importations  from  Florence  into  Lon- 
don this  December,  was  a ‘ Countess  Rena,  of  whom,’ 
writes  Walpole,  ‘ my  Lord  Pembroke  bought  such 
quantities  of  Florence,  etc.  I shall  wonder  if  he  deals 
with  her  any  more,  as  he  has  the  sweetest  wife  in  the 
world,  and  it  seems  to  be  some  time  since  La  Comtessa 
was  so.  Tell  me  more  of  her  history.  Antique  as  she 
is,  she  is  since  my  time.’  Mann  replies,  December 
13th: — ‘The  Countess  Rena  picked  up  that  title  in 
her  travels.  Here,  she  was  known  by  all  the  young 
English,  and  by  their  Valets  de  Place,  by  the  name  of 
La  Rena.  She  is  certainly  in  a pais  de  connoissance, 
but  probably  her  having  had  views  to  captivate  the 
French  Monarch,  and  having  succeeded  for  a time 
with  his  favourite’s  brother  (now  the  Marquis  de 
Marigny,  formerly  De  Vandieres,  brother  of  Madame 


1757. 


WALPOLE'S  GUEST. 


431 


de  Pompadour),  and  then  passing  into  the  arms  of  the 
grave  minister,  M.  de  Machault,  etc.,  etc.,  etc.,  will 
give  her  more  reputation  with  the  younger  set,  than 
induce  those  who  knew  her  here  to  renew  their 
acquaintance.  The  most  ludicrous  part  of  her  history 
is  the  conquest  of  a Mr.  Bolland,  a rich  Aleppo 
Consul,  who  spent  several  thousand  pounds  to  gratify 
her  unlimited  caprices.’  This  Florentine  woman  had 
a strange  success  in  England.  In  September,  1762, 
Walpole  writes  from  Strawberry  Hill: — ‘I  have  had 
Lord  March  and  the  Rena  here,  for  one  night,  which 
does  not  ruin  my  reputation  in  the  neighbourhood, 
and  may  usher  me  again  for  a Scotchman,  into  the 
North  Briton.” 


END  OF  VOL.  i. 


LONDON  : PRINTED  BY  WILLIAM  CLOWES  AND  SON,  STAMFORD  STREET 
AND  CHARING  CROSS. 


PPM 


